Being old, the good and the bad

[Protocall_Design]

I have finally figured out how to deal with all the vagaries of getting older.

The older I get, the better I was!

 

[JH1951]

This is the electronic version of my late dad's saying, "If the older generation didn't pass along its knowledge to the younger generation, we'd still be living in caves."

How true. Interesting thought: Some of the younger generation today want nothing to do with the nuggets of wisdom we old farts throw at their feet. They are condemning themselves to living in caves, or better yet taking what they think they deserve from those that have listened, learned, and succeeded. Ponder that and watch the evening news tonight.

 

[walkin jack]

Lots of wisdom and sage advice in this thread. I don't need to worry about making sure I make loving my wife my number one job. I got that covered. The first thought I have every morning when I wake up and the first thing I say out loud, whether she's awake or not, is "I love you".

At night when I lay down the last thing I say out loud and the last thought that goes through my mind is "I love you".

I spend the hours in between trying to demonstrate how much I love her.

I think she suspects that I love her.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

Old age and "maturity" don't always go together.
"What you are when you grow old is merely a continuation of what you were all along."
One acquaintance described a lot of his neighbors in his retirement community as "old children", in my youth I met plenty of old geezers who
never learnt their manners, now, at age 70, I still run into them, people who think reaching "Senior Citizen" status makes them special, privileged, entitled, etc.

 

[walkin jack]

I don't know about privileged or entitled but I've met a lot of seniors who's wisdom, knowledge, experience, perspective and forbearance make them special. And for endurance if for no other reason.

 

[ancient-one]

Old age and "maturity" don't always go together.
"What you are when you grow old is merely a continuation of what you were all along."
One acquaintance described a lot of his neighbors in his retirement community as "old children", in my youth I met plenty of old geezers who
never learnt their manners, now, at age 70, I still run into them, people who think reaching "Senior Citizen" status makes them special, privileged, entitled, etc.

You must come from a different part of the country than where I live. I live in a Seniors Independent Living Community and I have not experienced what you describe with the people here or when I am shopping, going to Doctors or any place else. You might see one that could fit your description but they are few and far between.
Those who think that they are special, privileged, entitled,etc are found in all age groups, not just Seniors.

 

[NMPinNYC]

My wife died 4 yrs. ago on July 27, we were 3 days away from our 51st. Anniversary. Listen up fellows, no matter how much you love your wife, you are not loving her enough. Get busy, make loving that woman your number one purpose in life. If she goes first your will still think you could have loved her more. Vern Gosden sang a song that said "You'll never know what lonesome is till it's carved in stone."

Thank you... this truth made me tear up thinking about the possibility. I shall get busier...

 

[walkin jack]

You must come from a different part of the country than where I live. I live in a Seniors Independent Living Community and I have not experienced what you describe with the people here or when I am shopping, going to Doctors or any place else. You might see one that could fit your description but they are few and far between.
Those who think that they are special, privileged, entitled,etc are found in all age groups, not just Seniors.

And I can't speak for anyone but myself But I bear very little resemblance to the person I was as a young man. Everything from my taste in food to my political views to my waist size to my opinion of cats to driving habits to my preference in music and so on and so forth are 180 deg. different.

I will admit that I may be the exception that proves the rule. My FIL was a mean old *******every day of his life from the first to the last.

 

[Rustyt1953]

To springboard off Jack's thoughts; 38 years ago, Ruthie started remodeling me, all for the better. It was a time consuming task that resulted in me becoming, in many ways, a different structure.

I like what she's done with the place.

 

[walkin jack]

well Rusty, I didn't know you 38 years ago but I gotta say she done a very good job.

It's kinda the same around here but I'm afraid Miss Pam has a ways to go yet. She had to start from scratch....

 

[Golddollar]

Hey I am gonna turn 69 tomorrow. This week jack hammered out a couple yards of concrete, used a Bobcat to dig out and move about 10 yards of hard packed gravel from one spot to another, so I could form up for a 15'x31' and a 25'x24' concrete pours, wired in the rebar and wire mess and floated a 6 mile chunk of the creek 3 times on a float tube.

Got stiff and sore some. But really, so, far so good.

Happy Birthday to you and keep on doing what you're doing.

 

[LCC]

Forgive yourself, forgive others, get rid of the rear view mirror, keep your eyes and mind on the road ahead while you still have some miles left.
And love your loved ones with everything ya got.

 

[McGivern]

I have a plaque on my wall given to me by my FIL many years ago which says:
"Do not resent growing old---many are denied the privilege"
I turned 85 in June and am blessed with good health. Still walk every morning and don't take any prescription meds. Lost my wife 8 years ago and that is a big empty spot in my life.

 

[Jon651]

I don't know who originally said this, but it still rings true today - especially as I grow older!

"Youth is wasted on the young, and wisdom on the old."

Of course, my father used to tell me: "Youth and enthusiasm will always be overcome by old age and treachery!" So there's that...

 

[quaduser]

This is a well worn saw but it's true and can't be disputed... Today is the first day of the rest of your life. Doesn't matter how old you are. All you have done and all that you are have already happened and cannot be changed. But your new choices begin today...

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

A friend who made it to 93 got involved in an elder abuse task force, she quickly realized that much if not most elder abuse comes under the heading of retribution and retaliation-payback time. "As Ye sow, so shall Ye reap!"

 

[Dougaz]

I too am getting "up there"

I've been married three (3) times and divorced twice.

I have way to many physical issues and I've made millions, and I have lost millions.

"Half of my fortune, I spent on women, drugs and alcohol, the other half, I wasted"

Now, I just buy S&W wheelies.

 

[Ole Joe Clark]

My lovely wife, who most of you know as my MBH, (much better half), is a blessing from God. We have been married almost 56 years, and it seems like yesterday. She was a innocent little girl when we married, and she has loved me unconditionally. I woke one day and realized I was old, and she is too, the only difference, in my view, is that she is still as beautiful, and good, or even more so, both inside and out, and just a wonderful person. We only had each other when we married, and now that the girls are married and gone, we only have each other again.

I told her recently that I thought God had sent me one of His own special Angels when He sent her, and I meant it.

I could go on and on and..........

Have a blessed day,

Leon