You might have heard of us….the Baby Boomers? We live on the corner of 1946 and 1964. Yeah, we’ve got that huge house…you can’t miss it. Yes, it looks a little “busy” – we’ve had to remodel a few times to make ends meet…recessions, you know? What’s happening now? Oh, we’re retiring soon so we’re doing some updates…we’re taking up surfing! I am a Baby Boomer….and I’m gettin’ ready to ride the wave, baby, just ride’ the wave!
We’ve been awarded the moniker “The Silver Tsunami” because of the expected impact on healthcare and the economy as Boomers age. Over 77million of us fit into the Boomer category with over 46million already over the age of 65. I happen to be on the tail end of that giant “curl”, born in 1963. I don’t know so much that we’re a tsunami as much as a long, wave coming to shore that’ll be quickly followed by a GenX wave, then a Millenial wave….The real tsunami is the staggering numbers of aging Americans over the next 40 years…projected to be 98million. Damn, that’s a lot of “agers” hangin’ out!
As I shared in my Aging Gracefully post, I am consciously choosing to age on my own terms. I want to embrace the full spectrum of aging, all its goods and bads, with a bit of humor and grace and never really “get old.” But here’s what my ride will include – I have spinal stenosis in much of my lower back and a couple bulging disks. I have arthritis in my feet, ankles, knees, hands and elbows. WebMD and I think I might have it in my bum shoulder, too. I’ve had both knees scoped multiple times thanks to many hard years of running and aerobics (I’m a Jane Fonda “make it burn” graduate!), and I expect to need replacements in the not too distant future.
Punctuation Points
Much of what I see happening with my body is the same as my mom went through, and that scares the hell out of me. Oh, none of these changes are devastating in the grand scheme of life right now. They’re simply irritations and reminders that I’m not 25, 35 or even 45…and soon I won’t be 55 anymore (bugger that!). But, they’re loud and clear reminders…punctuation points if you will, that I need to keep moving, keep riding the curl, in order to age gracefully.
As I’m dealing with these physical changes, I’ve finally learned that I don’t need to go through life at break-neck speed. While so many talk about “the hustle”, I now slow down to enjoy moments. Some days, to the untrained observer, I might look like I’m warming up for Cirque du Soleil when I get dressed (thou shalt not bend, semi-squat and lift leg at the same time to dress your lowers or you’ll walk crooked for the day)! I sometimes sit down to get dressed, and it’s so much easier…no more hopping across the bathroom to don tights, no more breaking a sweat, and no more having to repair sweaty makeup just to get out the door! How’s that for life on the positive side?!
Worth the Price
I know sometimes I’ll pay a price for doing something….like hiking a cliffside, walking NYC for hours on end, or crawling around on my hands and knees just to get the perfect shot of that tiny little bee on the flower that caught my eye. It’s about making choices…and knowing it’ll totally be worth whatever price I pay at the end. My challenge is remembering to take breaks (like that great bourbon bar we found in Manhattan!). I used to do a full day’s gardening, elbow-deep in the dirt communing with the worms, and smelling of sweat and dirt so bad at the end of the day I couldn’t even stand myself. Now, I only do an hour before my back is screaming and I’m walking cockeyed. Perfect time for a hard lemonade break! Hobby limiting, sure. Not hobby eliminating!
The old saying is that “with age comes wisdom” and it’s been a really good thing for me….that wisdom stuff. I’m learning to slow down and not get my guts in a bind so easily. I can continue to fully enjoy the things I love….they just might take me a little longer (I’m not quite sloth-like yet). I more actively search for, and embrace, quiet reflective times alone to rejuvenate myself. And, even if I struggle to do something I used to do so easily, I’m learning patience. Lord knows that’s always been in short supply for me.
The Young Old Person
I don’t ever want to be “old”, that person who’s mental age far exceeds biological age. You know exactly what I’m talking about….the 65 year old who everyone swears is 90, doesn’t “take care of herself”, wears clothes that are 30 years out of style, and generally looks like a bag of rags tied in the middle. Every time she opens her mouth, out comes the latest ache, pain or pill she’s taking. She becomes a creature of habit – eats at a certain time (5pm), goes to bed at a certain time (9pm), and chooses to disengage from life thinking she’s too old for just about everything. You’ve met her…or him….haven’t you?! We all have…I will NOT be that person.
I want to be the woman who’s not afraid to try anything, game to go anywhere, and always open to fun new experiences. To always look at age as just a game of numbers, like my dad. And, when my time finally comes and the good Lord calls me home, I want Him to say, “You wore it well, Barbara. Well done.”
