GETTING OLDER

Often I am told I look younger than my years. When I kept my grandson, people frequently thought I was his mother. These days, I'm feeling every one of my years. More grey hairs coming in and more aches and pains.

A few days ago, I visited a home for the elderly. It was the annual Valentine's Day party, and the band that played were Chuck's friends, so we went. While sitting there, observing the residents, I saw the circle of the human life. We begin totally dependent on another: starting with feeding, then help sitting, standing and walking. Our infant walkers were redesigned for us at our feeble stage in life, and the wheelchair is just an adult stroller. It's sad that a sharp mind can become trapped in a body that doesn't function like it did years before. The saying, "Youth is wasted on the young" hits closer to home with every year.

With every party, you have to have cake. I helped pass out the slices and was "hit-on" by one of the spunky residents. Apparently, he thought I was "the best blankedy-blank women he's seen since he's been there". Well, I did try to look nice. I even wore make-up, painted my nails to match my toes and bought a new dress. I do clean up pretty well, if I do say so myself. But a little later, thinking about what he said and looking around the room at what he's been seeing, my inflated ego lost it's air.

The party was fun, I did enjoy seeing the residents, and watching them enjoy the music. The director of the home took a couple of wheelchair bound residents on the dance floor for a spin. The smiles were big and you could see many mouthing the words to the familiar songs. The last song was a slow one, and Chuck asked me to dance. As we headed to the dance floor in front of the band, another visiting couple joined us. Before we knew it, the director was there with her camera, and for a song, we were the center of attention.

I don't want to get old and unable to take care of myself, but it's nice to know that there are some facilities out there that really do take care of their residents. What's that saying, "I don't want to get old, but it beats the alternative." But this one is my favorite: Getting old is not for sissies.

I think I need to watch that movie again....The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.

Benjamin Button: Our lives are defined by opportunities; even the ones we miss.