Killing It In My Sixties

It’s the best – Truly!  I had always sort of dreaded getting old, and dare I say – was even fearful. Seriously – to the point of preferring an early tragic death, (preferably painless because I am also afraid of pain and suffering) to avoid the inevitable decline of aging.  But lately, I have come to realize that aging happens slowly, seeping in a little bit at a time. I am pretty sure God is easing me into it this at a rate I can tolerate so I don’t toss in the towel too quickly.  Like I have arthritis pretty bad in my left thumb joints – which is not fun to deal with. But… It’s my left hand not my right, and it’s not my knees or hips – so it hasn’t slowed me down much.  I usually try to find a strong good-looking man to open jars for me – and that’s actually a perk rather than a problem.

The other stuff declines slowly too, like when you squat down to pick something up off a bottom shelf. You no longer just spring back up. You look for a sturdy surface to grab onto with one or both hands, and slowly rise up to a standing position.  I literally had a lady compliment in the line at a store, for rising back up only using one hand!  And you can’t see and hear things as easily anymore – but you can get stronger glasses and hearing aids are practically non-detectable now – and it doesn’t happen one morning when you wake up. It involves months and months of squinting and saying, “What” repeatedly before you concede to going to get medical attention.  

What I really want to say though, is that not only is it bearable, there is so much about aging that is totally awesome!!  I used to worry so much about what other people may be thinking about me or what I was doing.  Now – I have ZERO fucks left – I absolutely don’t care – At ALL.  I figure that I made it this far – so most of my life experiences are to be viewed as accomplishments at this stage of the game. If someone doesn’t like me or something about me? No worries – I figure that says more about them and their insecurities or biases than it could ever say about me, (who was usually doing the best I could under difficult circumstances).  You want to judge my multiple marriages? I’m flattered I had so many proposals – and … I didn’t say “yes” to all of them either.  Furthermore – The failure of those unions taught me a lot about myself and formed the human I am today.

I remember my grandma used to be in bed by 9 pm every night and up at 5 am every morning.  Back then – I wanted to stay up as late as possible and sleep in, in the morning.  Now I completely value the comfort and coziness of my bedroom, (sometimes as early as 7 at night) and I thoroughly enjoy the beauty and serenity of dark, quiet early mornings with my steaming mug of coffee.  I love my wild gray hair – I am no longer bound to a calendar schedule of fitting in my root touch-ups to coincide with my social life and travel plans.  Sometimes I let it go wildly curly and frizzy and am still able to tame it a bit when I want.  Having every hair in place is no longer a goal – and it is soooooo freeing!!  As far as makeup goes – I wear a light amount most days and some days I go completely without.  I feel comfortable enough in my own skin that I know makeup doesn’t really change my appearance much, and it definitely doesn’t change who I am on the inside.

I have no desire to join a gym and try to tone up – my exercise these days consists of walking, a little hiking, and working at a high school walking the halls multiple times a day.  If someone tries to suggest any more than that, I just tell them I am old, my bones are brittle and my family has a history of falling down a lot.  When someone asks me to go somewhere and stay out late – I throw down Medicare is on my calendar this year – and they ease up really quick!  On the other hand, I can flirt shamelessly with men and no one takes it seriously because I don’t look like someone they would try to go home with. And other women aren’t very threatened by a little gray-haired five-foot-nothin’ Italian woman.  

Best of all – I know my limits – all of them.  (I think – lol) I know longer feel the need to impress anyone, or prove that I am anything.  I won’t do anything stupid or daring that might result in a slow-healing injury. And by that, I mean – I am careful when reaching to adjust the showerhead so as not to tear my rotator cuff.  And I sit down to put my socks on – no more hopping around hoping to not fall flat on my hardwood floors.  And I order a child’s plate at breakfast because I can no longer put food away like I used to.  One big meal too late in the day means a restless night’s sleep! The bonus – I spend WAY less on food these days!  And now when someone offers to open a door for me, reach something on a high shelf, or share their umbrella with me – I welcome it and any fun conversation that comes with it!

But the absolute number one best thing about getting old is my grandchildren!  All five of them bring such joy to my life. At every age and every stage – they are pure magic.  The seventeen-year-old is just as loving and charming as he was from the day he was born, and the twelve-year-old is at the hilarious stage of saying, “that’s what she said” every time I say anything that works with that joke.  My granddaughter and the only little girl I have ever experienced, now gives me fashion and style advice – she’s always trying to arrange and “fix” my wild hair.  The two youngest boys – six and eight – make me laugh the whole time we are together and give the most loving hugs I could ever ask for.  

And – enjoying my three sons who grew into wonderful men, and their wives are like having the best circle of friends a person could ask for.  They include me, laugh with me and love me more than I could have ever imagined.  Getting old is THE BEST!