Part 1 would not be enough on this subject. There are a few more experiences to blog about.
I have decided that getting “older” is not for sissies. One needs to be strong with a will to keep going. Trust me, it isn’t easy. Every day is a surprise. One day you wake up feeling great. The next day rain is coming and the body aches. You’ve gotta love it!
Many people get excited to think about retiring. Let me tell you that it is a shock to the brain! Yes, it takes an adjustments.
Let’s just look at a few Pros and Cons.
PROS:
You are finally without a “set schedule”. Staying up till all hours of the night, and sleeping in until you feel like getting up.
No more hassles like making lunches for the kids for school, getting them out the door, getting yourself out the door. There is worrying about having food in the house. Running the kids to school or practice or games of some kind. Been there, done that, got the tee shirt. Now that I look back, how did I do it?
No more scheduling appointments of any kind after work. Now you can reply, “whenever”. This is nice.
Finishing projects after they are started. They keep you busy and distracted from being alone.
CONS:
Not meaning to sound like Debbie Downer, but I think the cons out weight the pros.
Retirement means adjusting your whole life, and hoping you can accomplish what you want in the time you may have left. Plus there is working hard to not just give up.
No one is given a return ticket from this earth. Sometimes I wish this was the case. Somewhere I read that very long ago, people would know when it was time to checkout from life. God found that people would just give up and wait. This was stopped. What would you do differently if you knew when your life was ending. Food for thought. Do it now!
Gathering with your “older” age group can be very depressing. It seems all you hear is when they visited the doctor, what pills they are taking, and what they cannot eat. This is a hard to just brush off. I think you know you are aging, but somehow you have to keep the happy thoughts and be content. Being reminded constantly is a BIG no no!
Your body is beginning to slow down. Where did all my energy go? Tasks can be more of a challenge. Being active can keep you going. Watch that favorite TV show or movie that can put you to sleep for a nap. Bedtime can be 9:00 pm instead of 12:30 am.
So what about getting “older”:
It is a hard adjustment. Your life has completely changed — no immediate family is in your household. They have moved out, maybe gotten married or are in a relationship, and now they are busy with their family.
Sometimes you feel forgotten. Your kids are busy with their own life. One of them may have chosen a partner that you don’t get along with, so they never come around. It may run into years before you see them. Somehow you do not feel very welcomed in their home. Experience speaks on this topic. Trust me, this is very hard. One just needs to keep the positive in the brain, and move on down the road. Remember that they have to live with their choices. The old saying, “You don’t know what you’ve got until it is gone”. So, so true.
The one person that I remember aging was my dad. He was quite the guy, and I miss him. The signs of aging were when his hair became a beautiful silver, and still no baldness. Dad quit school around the eighth grade to go to work and help his family. During the time when prohibition was in control of the country, our dad worked for a bootlegger in When he was in his early seventies, dad retired from General Motors. Not giving up or giving into age must have been his motto.
After retiring he had a major stroke. His walking was effected, as was his speech. He had efasia, which is a condition that effects the speech. You know in your brain what you want to say, but it comes out differently. For instance, I ran out of oranges when he was visiting. He proceeded to tell me we needed more squares. (Oranges are round.) Dad couldn’t drive anymore, which was really hard on him.
Dad got married again when he was 85, the bride was 86. He and his wife just enjoyed each others company. They were good for each and fun to visit. Being happy is what I would call it. Not letting a number keeping you away from what you want from this life.
In his mid nineties, dad passed. I picture him fishing till his heart content in heaven. This was a sport he loved. It was a bit hard to be sad that he wasn’t with us because of the life he had lived. Determination is what dad had.
The reason I am referencing my dad is because he didn’t give up. I don’t think the man would take NO for an answer. Dad would find a way to do it. I never saw him depressed or moping over aging. We can all learn from my dad.
Being content is the key. I believe this is a state of living in the moment, doing your best not to think of what was, or having negative thoughts about what may be ahead. Planning and worrying about what will happen are two different animals. Many of us just like to stay in the state of worrying. Mental work is what it takes to be content Train the brain to live in the moment. Don’t read the obituaries.
This has been a different blog to write, but it is so true. Aging is not for the faint at heart. With this closing line, I dedicate to all of us that are aging. Remember to pull out a happy memory that will put a smile on your face.
Blessings from The Blogging Grandma