On Getting Old

I don't know the half of it, I'm sure. (Considering my age, I think I should know at least the half of it.)

So far, getting old is a little like high school. Consider where I live: a 55+ community. The one I live in is about 1,000 homes which makes its population about the same size as my high school. There are the same cliques: jocks, stoners, band, choir, student council. There are popular kids and outcasts. And rumors. So many rumors!

Then, there are the surprising and unexpected changes in one's body. For example, when I look in the mirror, I sometimes don't recognize who is staring back at me. Sometimes, I see the me that's always been me. Other times, I just see an old lady and I wonder, "How did this happen?" I think about my granddaughter and what she sees when she looks at me. "Old" can be the only answer even when I feel as young as ever (mostly).

Body parts ache or don't work the same as they used to. Flexibility and physical capacity are diminished even when my mind believes otherwise. Why don't things work like they used to when I don't feel any different on the inside?

Speaking of inside, there's a betrayal going on. My body - the one that's been with me my whole life - doesn't respond the way it used to and it doesn't recover as quickly. Take the common cold or flu. I used to be able to brush it off, push through it, hardly miss a beat. Now, it takes days or weeks.

In our community of old people, a cold or flu spreads quickly and thoroughly. Texts are exchanged to share symptoms and to find out how long whatever sickness lasts. Quarantine is self-imposed and we miss seeing neighbors for far too long.

That's the current situation. Hubby and I are both at home waiting for wellness to return for it can't be rushed or coaxed. My current cold/flu symptoms are mild so far but I've seen the neighborhood text network. It could get much worse and last for another week or more. My kids, however, aren't worried about it. Maybe I'm contagious but they're still invincible. They might get it but no biggie. And the littles - if they get it, they'll get over it quickly or even go to school in spite of it.

Well, my children. You will get old one day, too.