Once Old Age Officially Arrives
When it unpacks and moves in10 total reviews
Comment from Rikki66
Now that I am three years into my seventh decade I know what makes me feel old that is when those of my age or younger are dying. On Monday John Walton passed he was just 67. I am getting old but not there yet,
Rikki:)xo
reply by the author on 05-Jul-2019
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Now that I am three years into my seventh decade I know what makes me feel old that is when those of my age or younger are dying. On Monday John Walton passed he was just 67. I am getting old but not there yet,
Rikki:)xo
Comment Written 03-Jul-2019
reply by the author on 05-Jul-2019
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I do believe we are as young as we choose to be, age be damned. If we are fortunate enough to have our health and retain our mental acuity, then what more can we ask for.
Like you, I too find it hard to witness the passages of so many good and talented people. It just makes me more aware of how valuable time is at this stage in life.
Thank you for reading this piece.
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You're welcome.
Rikki:)
Comment from Coco Jane
I pasted the whole story in so that I can comment right in the text.
OUR Introduction to old age is not as gradual as one might think. In these current times, we tend to stretch the term "middle age" as far as we possibly can. However, there is one decade where this term loses steam and that is when one arrives in the 7th decade ACTUALLY OUR 7TH DECADE IS WHEN WE ARE IN OUR 60S. . No longer can we fool ourselves into thinking we are still in the 'middle' of life. (I can only speak for myself, but I don't know anyone who is 140 years old). All of a sudden it hits you and you didn't even see it coming.
Seventy ushers in a decade that is precarious to be certain. It is much like navigating a vessel that, up until recently, was in open waters and now must be guided through narrow passages where it can easily run aground.
I find mornings to be especially challenging. It's much like having to boot up a reluctant computer after it has been shut down. The mainframe, d/b/a the brain, runs diagnostics to make sure all other parts of the body are up and ready and that nothing has malfunctioned or taken a powder THIS EXPRESSION SEEMS OLD-FASHIONED AND DOES NOT SEEM TO FIT WITH THE COMPUTER SIMILE. OR, WAS THAT YOUR INTENTION? during the night. This is where each day can bring new issues to the party. Example: The weather has turned rainy, which in turn has triggered the left side of the body to decide that it will be operating at minimum capacity. Once faced with this challenge COMMA HERE you are obliged to haul yourself out of bed, dragging the reluctant left side with you and feeling like Quasimodo in search of a bell tower! NICE HUMOR HERE! Every injury you have incurred over a lifetime comes back to haunt you in this not so gracious decade. The thousand times as a kid you crashed and burned on a skateboard after flying down a giant hill. Or the numerous times you wiped out on a surfboard and landed in the 'boneyard' (coral reef). All the serious and semi-serious incidents you thought you moved on from unscathed.
The body heals quickly in youth, but the brain keeps a mental list, markers if you will, on all these injuries. Once we cross the point of demarcation, the brain begins to activate the various areas of our bodies that took the hits and we ache in parts we didn't know existed. It is the brain's way of paying us back for our youthful exuberance and recklessness.
"Just remember, once you're over the hill you begin to pick up speed." USE A DASH BEFORE AN AUTHOR'S NAME AFTER A QUOTE. Charles Schulz
It is these physical challenges that can be frustrating to deal with, especially if we don't feel like we belong in this dicey decade. Mentally we don't feel old at all. Our minds are still functioning at a reasonable level, i.e. we may forget where we put our keys on occasion, but we know what their function is when we locate them. And, so far, we have not put our cell phones in INTO the freezer. These are all positive signs of cognitive function; small things take on new meaning. Seriously, if our bodies didn't hassle us with aches and pains COMMA HERE we wouldn't give the passage of time much thought.
Sadly, there is yet another aspect of aging that one must deal with, and that is the societal perception of seniors that prevails and one that needs to be dispelled. THIS SENTENCE IS "CHEWY." FOUR "THAT"S! TRY USING A COLON AFTER "WITH" AND THEN OMIT "AND ONE." It is the collective idea that because one is of a certain age, their ability to contribute is diminished. It is yet another form of discrimination.
"Discrimination on the basis of age is as unacceptable as discrimination on the basis of any other aspect of ourselves that we cannot change." DASH HERE Ashton Applewhite
What is the point of increased longevity if aging is perceived universally as negative? There THERE IS A WEAK SENTENCE OPENER. SAY INSTEAD: SOCIETY NEEDS TO UPGRADE ITS VIEWS ON AGING. needs to be an upgrade in how society views aging. At the very least, we need to take age on a case-by-case basis; approaching individuals based on who they are and not how old they are. The same way we should approach race, not based on the color of one's skin, but the content of their character. THIS SENTENCE IS REALLY NOT A SENTENCE AND IS CHEWY. TRY: ...OLD THEY ARE--THE SAME WAY WE SHOULD APPROACH RACE--NOT BASED ON THE COLOR OF ONE'S SKIN BUT ON THE CONTENT OF HIS/HER CHARACTER. (OR USE "OUR" AS THE PRONOUN) After all, there is no viable alternative to age,COLON HERE INSTEAD OF COMMA if you continue to live then you will, at some point, be old. This is a good thing to keep in mind when coming in contact with seniors.
In my youth, I found the seniors I came in contact with to be extremely interesting. This was a time when neighbors knew one another and actually visited with each other. I recall one elderly couple that my mother and I visited often, Mr. and Mrs. Hayes. While mother would have coffee with Mrs. Hayes, I would sit with Mr. Hayes as he regaled me with stories of when he was a boy and he ran away to sea. He was from Australia and at the age of twelve, he went to sea as a cabin boy. This simply fascinated me; it conjured up shades of Melville and Robert Louis Stevenson. CAPITALIZE AS as a very young boy, he grew up sailing the seas on a massive merchant sailing vessel. He was born sometime in the late 1800s, so by the turn of the century, he was on his own and having an unbelievable adventure. Not an easy life, but he learned a lot along the way. He told me about the Outback in those early days growing up in Australia. He was a real character and had the most exciting stories. I was always happy to visit this dear old gentleman and learn more about that period of time.
Not every senior will have such adventure stories to tell, but for most, there is a wealth of knowledge that they can impart if one is open to engaging them. AGAIN, THERE IS A WEAK OPENER. TRY: ...BUT MOST CAN IMPART A WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE IF ONE IS OPEN... They can provide a glimpse into a different era and how life was back then.
CONSIDER OPENING THE ESSAY WITH THIS ANECDOTE ABOUT THE MAN YOU ENJOYED. THEN MOVE INTO THE DISCUSSION OF AGING.
As for those of us who are currently in or on the threshold of the 7th decade, what can keep us in the flow of life is living in the moment and not allow ALLOWING stagnation to set in. Keeping inertia at bay is the province of an open mind and a curious spirit. Being fully engaged is the tonic one needs to stay mentally alert; that could mean being actively employed, returning to university to study COMMA HERE or just simply doing what you love to do. For me, it is taking every opportunity to travel. I have visited several countries in Europe and Southeast Asia COMMA HERE and I always feel at my best and most alive when I am traveling. I have a trip planned to Portugal this fall and one in the works for Prague and Budapest. I love meeting new people and experiencing the diversity that comes with world travel.
"The excitement of learning separates you from old age. As long as you're learning, you're not old." DASH Rosalyn S. Yalow
I would like to be thought of as young at heart no matter how old I become; COMMA INSTEAD OF SEMICOLON continuing to embrace new ideas and change as an opportunity to grow. Life flows in one direction, forward, and it is a hell of a lot easier to go with it than against.
Now, if you will excuse me, I am going to collect my cell phone from the freezer and proceed to pack my bags!! NICE FUNNY ENDING!
reply by the author on 05-Jul-2019
 |
I pasted the whole story in so that I can comment right in the text.
OUR Introduction to old age is not as gradual as one might think. In these current times, we tend to stretch the term "middle age" as far as we possibly can. However, there is one decade where this term loses steam and that is when one arrives in the 7th decade ACTUALLY OUR 7TH DECADE IS WHEN WE ARE IN OUR 60S. . No longer can we fool ourselves into thinking we are still in the 'middle' of life. (I can only speak for myself, but I don't know anyone who is 140 years old). All of a sudden it hits you and you didn't even see it coming.
Seventy ushers in a decade that is precarious to be certain. It is much like navigating a vessel that, up until recently, was in open waters and now must be guided through narrow passages where it can easily run aground.
I find mornings to be especially challenging. It's much like having to boot up a reluctant computer after it has been shut down. The mainframe, d/b/a the brain, runs diagnostics to make sure all other parts of the body are up and ready and that nothing has malfunctioned or taken a powder THIS EXPRESSION SEEMS OLD-FASHIONED AND DOES NOT SEEM TO FIT WITH THE COMPUTER SIMILE. OR, WAS THAT YOUR INTENTION? during the night. This is where each day can bring new issues to the party. Example: The weather has turned rainy, which in turn has triggered the left side of the body to decide that it will be operating at minimum capacity. Once faced with this challenge COMMA HERE you are obliged to haul yourself out of bed, dragging the reluctant left side with you and feeling like Quasimodo in search of a bell tower! NICE HUMOR HERE! Every injury you have incurred over a lifetime comes back to haunt you in this not so gracious decade. The thousand times as a kid you crashed and burned on a skateboard after flying down a giant hill. Or the numerous times you wiped out on a surfboard and landed in the 'boneyard' (coral reef). All the serious and semi-serious incidents you thought you moved on from unscathed.
The body heals quickly in youth, but the brain keeps a mental list, markers if you will, on all these injuries. Once we cross the point of demarcation, the brain begins to activate the various areas of our bodies that took the hits and we ache in parts we didn't know existed. It is the brain's way of paying us back for our youthful exuberance and recklessness.
"Just remember, once you're over the hill you begin to pick up speed." USE A DASH BEFORE AN AUTHOR'S NAME AFTER A QUOTE. Charles Schulz
It is these physical challenges that can be frustrating to deal with, especially if we don't feel like we belong in this dicey decade. Mentally we don't feel old at all. Our minds are still functioning at a reasonable level, i.e. we may forget where we put our keys on occasion, but we know what their function is when we locate them. And, so far, we have not put our cell phones in INTO the freezer. These are all positive signs of cognitive function; small things take on new meaning. Seriously, if our bodies didn't hassle us with aches and pains COMMA HERE we wouldn't give the passage of time much thought.
Sadly, there is yet another aspect of aging that one must deal with, and that is the societal perception of seniors that prevails and one that needs to be dispelled. THIS SENTENCE IS "CHEWY." FOUR "THAT"S! TRY USING A COLON AFTER "WITH" AND THEN OMIT "AND ONE." It is the collective idea that because one is of a certain age, their ability to contribute is diminished. It is yet another form of discrimination.
"Discrimination on the basis of age is as unacceptable as discrimination on the basis of any other aspect of ourselves that we cannot change." DASH HERE Ashton Applewhite
What is the point of increased longevity if aging is perceived universally as negative? There THERE IS A WEAK SENTENCE OPENER. SAY INSTEAD: SOCIETY NEEDS TO UPGRADE ITS VIEWS ON AGING. needs to be an upgrade in how society views aging. At the very least, we need to take age on a case-by-case basis; approaching individuals based on who they are and not how old they are. The same way we should approach race, not based on the color of one's skin, but the content of their character. THIS SENTENCE IS REALLY NOT A SENTENCE AND IS CHEWY. TRY: ...OLD THEY ARE--THE SAME WAY WE SHOULD APPROACH RACE--NOT BASED ON THE COLOR OF ONE'S SKIN BUT ON THE CONTENT OF HIS/HER CHARACTER. (OR USE "OUR" AS THE PRONOUN) After all, there is no viable alternative to age,COLON HERE INSTEAD OF COMMA if you continue to live then you will, at some point, be old. This is a good thing to keep in mind when coming in contact with seniors.
In my youth, I found the seniors I came in contact with to be extremely interesting. This was a time when neighbors knew one another and actually visited with each other. I recall one elderly couple that my mother and I visited often, Mr. and Mrs. Hayes. While mother would have coffee with Mrs. Hayes, I would sit with Mr. Hayes as he regaled me with stories of when he was a boy and he ran away to sea. He was from Australia and at the age of twelve, he went to sea as a cabin boy. This simply fascinated me; it conjured up shades of Melville and Robert Louis Stevenson. CAPITALIZE AS as a very young boy, he grew up sailing the seas on a massive merchant sailing vessel. He was born sometime in the late 1800s, so by the turn of the century, he was on his own and having an unbelievable adventure. Not an easy life, but he learned a lot along the way. He told me about the Outback in those early days growing up in Australia. He was a real character and had the most exciting stories. I was always happy to visit this dear old gentleman and learn more about that period of time.
Not every senior will have such adventure stories to tell, but for most, there is a wealth of knowledge that they can impart if one is open to engaging them. AGAIN, THERE IS A WEAK OPENER. TRY: ...BUT MOST CAN IMPART A WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE IF ONE IS OPEN... They can provide a glimpse into a different era and how life was back then.
CONSIDER OPENING THE ESSAY WITH THIS ANECDOTE ABOUT THE MAN YOU ENJOYED. THEN MOVE INTO THE DISCUSSION OF AGING.
As for those of us who are currently in or on the threshold of the 7th decade, what can keep us in the flow of life is living in the moment and not allow ALLOWING stagnation to set in. Keeping inertia at bay is the province of an open mind and a curious spirit. Being fully engaged is the tonic one needs to stay mentally alert; that could mean being actively employed, returning to university to study COMMA HERE or just simply doing what you love to do. For me, it is taking every opportunity to travel. I have visited several countries in Europe and Southeast Asia COMMA HERE and I always feel at my best and most alive when I am traveling. I have a trip planned to Portugal this fall and one in the works for Prague and Budapest. I love meeting new people and experiencing the diversity that comes with world travel.
"The excitement of learning separates you from old age. As long as you're learning, you're not old." DASH Rosalyn S. Yalow
I would like to be thought of as young at heart no matter how old I become; COMMA INSTEAD OF SEMICOLON continuing to embrace new ideas and change as an opportunity to grow. Life flows in one direction, forward, and it is a hell of a lot easier to go with it than against.
Now, if you will excuse me, I am going to collect my cell phone from the freezer and proceed to pack my bags!! NICE FUNNY ENDING!
Comment Written 03-Jul-2019
reply by the author on 05-Jul-2019
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I don?t know you, but I?ve been expecting you. I knew when I referenced arriving in the 7th decade someone would feel obligated to correct me. However, I can assure you it was not out of ignorance, but total indifference that I ignored the chronology.
As for the suggestions you proffered, I think I will take a pass on them. While pointing out grammatical errors is constructive, I don?t find using someone else?s style of writing helpful.
That said, thank you for taking time to read the piece.
Comment from JudyE
I really enjoyed reading this and can totally agree with all you say. I am 72 and find people treat me differently. Some are very condescending. At other times, it's as if I've become invisible. We keep ourselves busy with various pursuits and we do quite a bit of travelling. But, like you, every morning we arise warily, wondering how we feel today. lol
I picked up one spag:
This simply fascinated me; it conjured up shades of Melville and Robert Louis Stevenson. as a very young boy, he grew up sailing the seas on a massive merchant sailing vessel. 'as' need a capital.
Thanks for a great read.
reply by the author on 05-Jul-2019
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I really enjoyed reading this and can totally agree with all you say. I am 72 and find people treat me differently. Some are very condescending. At other times, it's as if I've become invisible. We keep ourselves busy with various pursuits and we do quite a bit of travelling. But, like you, every morning we arise warily, wondering how we feel today. lol
I picked up one spag:
This simply fascinated me; it conjured up shades of Melville and Robert Louis Stevenson. as a very young boy, he grew up sailing the seas on a massive merchant sailing vessel. 'as' need a capital.
Thanks for a great read.
Comment Written 02-Jul-2019
reply by the author on 05-Jul-2019
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So glad you enjoyed the piece and thank you for the catch, I will make that correction.
Comment from Gail Denham
We are all just passing time - a well-put statement. I like the quotes you use throughout. The statement "when it unpacks and moves right in" aptly fits. It's an interesting article, altho as a comment, I think it would be much stronger if it were shorter and if there were more of the "cell phone in the freezer" little anecdotes - to hold the attention.
I totally agree that it sneaks up on you quick and mornings are quite hard - groaning my way to coffee, trying to get my computer up and running.
Well done.
reply by the author on 05-Jul-2019
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We are all just passing time - a well-put statement. I like the quotes you use throughout. The statement "when it unpacks and moves right in" aptly fits. It's an interesting article, altho as a comment, I think it would be much stronger if it were shorter and if there were more of the "cell phone in the freezer" little anecdotes - to hold the attention.
I totally agree that it sneaks up on you quick and mornings are quite hard - groaning my way to coffee, trying to get my computer up and running.
Well done.
Comment Written 01-Jul-2019
reply by the author on 05-Jul-2019
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Thanks for the read. Also, I quite agree with you that it could have been shorter. I did go on a bit too long about Mr Hayes and his adventures, but I did have the privilege of knowing some very interesting seniors growing up. Old doesn?t have to equate to dull and boring.
Thanks again for the read.
Comment from damommy
Unfortunately, or fortunately, however one looks at it, having suffered from lupus for many years, I hardly notice the pain of aging. You're right about young at heart, though. I tell everyone I'm about eight years old inside, and there's still so much I want to do and learn. You've written a fantastic piece about aging. I think the best we can do is to age as gracefully as we can. I'm proud to be old. It took me a long time to get here.
By the way, a doctor told me that, medically speaking, sixty years old is considered elderly. Isn't it wonderful to have reached elder years!
reply by the author on 05-Jul-2019
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Unfortunately, or fortunately, however one looks at it, having suffered from lupus for many years, I hardly notice the pain of aging. You're right about young at heart, though. I tell everyone I'm about eight years old inside, and there's still so much I want to do and learn. You've written a fantastic piece about aging. I think the best we can do is to age as gracefully as we can. I'm proud to be old. It took me a long time to get here.
By the way, a doctor told me that, medically speaking, sixty years old is considered elderly. Isn't it wonderful to have reached elder years!
Comment Written 01-Jul-2019
reply by the author on 05-Jul-2019
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I love your outlook and I agree that it is good to have reached this time of life. I am enjoying taking things as they come and savoring the moment.
Thank you for your thoughtful review. I enjoyed it very much.
Comment from visionary1234
Hi Marisa, this is a fun write! Glad to see you have returned to the site - I always enjoyed your pieces and this one is close to my heart! (I wrote and performed in a show entitled 'Old Girls Looking Hot':) It's a serious toned, personal essay, which I like. I enjoyed your use of quotes to illustrate a point. Occasionally you have some singular/plural disagreements which could be tidied up a bit - eg:
The same way we should approach race, not based on the color of one's skin, but the content of their (one's) character.
It is the collective idea that because one is of a certain age, their (one's) ability to contribute is diminished. It is yet another form of discrimination.
But this is minor stuff in an excellent essay. One suggestion - I would save your lovely "
Now, if you will excuse me, I am going to collect my cell phone from the freezer and proceed to pack my bags!!" for your concluding sentence! It's a nice whammy and just BEGS to be your last statement!
:Sharyn
reply by the author on 05-Jul-2019
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Hi Marisa, this is a fun write! Glad to see you have returned to the site - I always enjoyed your pieces and this one is close to my heart! (I wrote and performed in a show entitled 'Old Girls Looking Hot':) It's a serious toned, personal essay, which I like. I enjoyed your use of quotes to illustrate a point. Occasionally you have some singular/plural disagreements which could be tidied up a bit - eg:
The same way we should approach race, not based on the color of one's skin, but the content of their (one's) character.
It is the collective idea that because one is of a certain age, their (one's) ability to contribute is diminished. It is yet another form of discrimination.
But this is minor stuff in an excellent essay. One suggestion - I would save your lovely "
Now, if you will excuse me, I am going to collect my cell phone from the freezer and proceed to pack my bags!!" for your concluding sentence! It's a nice whammy and just BEGS to be your last statement!
:Sharyn
Comment Written 01-Jul-2019
reply by the author on 05-Jul-2019
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Aloha Sharyn and mahalo for the six stars. Glad you found the piece a good read. I always enjoy your reviews and appreciate the catches.
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I look forward to reading you again! ;)S
Comment from Jerome Goldberg
Hi - you earned six stars! This is a great essay! I passed the 70 marker a decade ago and everything you said still applies. I think we are heading for a return trip to South America next. I really recommend going on a camera safari in South Africa - a totally different experience. To Life!
reply by the author on 30-Jun-2019
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Hi - you earned six stars! This is a great essay! I passed the 70 marker a decade ago and everything you said still applies. I think we are heading for a return trip to South America next. I really recommend going on a camera safari in South Africa - a totally different experience. To Life!
Comment Written 30-Jun-2019
reply by the author on 30-Jun-2019
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Thanks so much for your excellent review. I really would like to take the photo safari in South Africa. I?m sure it is an amazing experience.
So many places to see. Glad to know people as excited about travel as I am.
Again, thanks for taking time to read this piece and for the six rating.
I agree, to Life and good travels too!!
Comment from JLR
As you write, aging is not for sissy, I chuckled about retrieving the cell phone from the freezer. The fact of the matter is we are living longer, certainly longer than our parents generation and life does matter. It is all about attitude and a good does of luck.... good luck.
reply by the author on 30-Jun-2019
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As you write, aging is not for sissy, I chuckled about retrieving the cell phone from the freezer. The fact of the matter is we are living longer, certainly longer than our parents generation and life does matter. It is all about attitude and a good does of luck.... good luck.
Comment Written 30-Jun-2019
reply by the author on 30-Jun-2019
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I agree that attitude as well as a bit of good luck do play a part in how we fair in the aging process. You are so right, life does matter and that?s at all stages of life.
I am glad you enjoyed the read.
Comment from Karen Luciana
Hello Marisa3,
I thoroughly enjoyed this essay. I really like how you incorporated quotes throughout the piece. They add power to your thesis. Your explanation of how difficult it can be to get the body started in the morning is one that many people experience. The part about the mind functioning reasonable well is both true and humorous. Good luck with all of your writing. Thank you for an interesting read.
reply by the author on 30-Jun-2019
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Hello Marisa3,
I thoroughly enjoyed this essay. I really like how you incorporated quotes throughout the piece. They add power to your thesis. Your explanation of how difficult it can be to get the body started in the morning is one that many people experience. The part about the mind functioning reasonable well is both true and humorous. Good luck with all of your writing. Thank you for an interesting read.
Comment Written 30-Jun-2019
reply by the author on 30-Jun-2019
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Thank you for your wonderful review and the six stars! I am very happy you enjoyed the piece.
Comment from Cindy Warren
A few more years and I'll be in my 7th decade. I must admit I'm not looking forward to it. I've found in the last couple of years I can't do some of the things I used to, and I know it's not going to get better. Hopefully I won't start freezing my cell phone!
reply by the author on 30-Jun-2019
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A few more years and I'll be in my 7th decade. I must admit I'm not looking forward to it. I've found in the last couple of years I can't do some of the things I used to, and I know it's not going to get better. Hopefully I won't start freezing my cell phone!
Comment Written 30-Jun-2019
reply by the author on 30-Jun-2019
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I feel sure that you will not freeze your cell phone and I too have found that there are a number of things I don?t do as well with the passing years. However, keeping a sense of humor about it all helps me to put things into perspective.
I am glad you got a chuckle out of this. It was my intention to keep it light.
