by Angela Sanford
I recently watched a short video of a senior lady speaking of her position on aging. Mary Maxwell Gates, mother of Bill Gates was 72 at the time the video was recorded and was addressing the invocation of a seniors’ facility in Omaha (link below).
Her address was not necessarily profound but offered wisdom throughout her comedic anecdotes on aging. She noted that this was her “first time getting old” (2012) and I chuckled knowing that I mirror that sentiment any time I activate a new muscle or join that has been in hibernation for well too long, apparently, despite being two generations Maxwell’s junior.
With over three million views, Maxwell reminds us that we don’t get the opportunity to practice getting old – each day brings a new experience. As a matter of fact, aging is an occasion not everyone has the opportunity to have and so we must take it in stride, embracing the newness of each day and use the wisdom of our youth to find laughter and smiles in the moments.
For some, like Oliver Wendall Homes, “Old age is always fifteen years older than I am.” However, some days old age seems to be on my doorstep rather than down the road. I say this because there’s nothing like taking the initial two stairs to the washroom in the middle of the night, thinking you can do so with great ease and assured footing, only to then adjust one’s steps accordingly to be able to continue, taking each riser with both feet before moving to the next. Or, to sit in the audience of a community event, enjoying its production only to stand with your body hunched at the waist until the muscles can spring into “tall” mode allowing your back to extend so you are no longer viewing the floor.
Each of us will face aging differently – the rate at which we age, the foibles of our unexperienced selves and while we attempt to age with grace, by times that is just not the result we achieve. I once read that a good way to know if you are “old” is to take note of the reactions of those around you when you fall – snickers and smiles are an indicator of youth while an audience that rushes to your side to assist, surely indicates you may be aging, and not so gracefully in this instance of falling.
We are fortunate to have the chance to age, it is an opportunity not afforded to everyone, and some who do not get to share in the full encounter so live it with your best foot forward. Laugh at yourself and learn from your foibles. As the days rush past, take the time to reflect on the learnings gone by but anticipate those to come with fortitude and strength, and follow the words of Clint Eastwood, "Aging can be fun if you lay back and enjoy it."
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