A serious topic to start this week’s page. As seniors, we have to think about the elephant in the room. We are losing friends and acquaintances at an accelerating rate. What can we do about it? Nothing.
No more than we could 30-40 years ago when we of a certain age went through the plague years. Memories are still painful. Some of us cannot even discuss the harrowing experiences we endured with relatives, friends and lovers. Young were we. Young were they. How unnatural it all was. How unfair.
The moving finger has written; the years have flown by and today we face a different situation. Now the timing for goodbyes is natural. It is hard to admit it, but the road no longer stretches as far as it used to.
Realizing this, I want to let off steam about some terrible wastes of the precious time we have left.
First, the grouches. They bitch and moan about things they know full-well nobody has any control over. They refuse to acknowledge a “good morning.” Perpetually frowning and mumbling negativities, they scurry back to what must be very lonely homes.
Then there are the ultra party loyalists who no longer speak to former friends of the opposition – or if they do, it is only to rile them with a volcanic political topic.
Another bunch have as their sole topic their poor health, family or finances. They are as bad as the ones who, no matter where they live or how many times they move, have unbearable neighbors.
For all of these people their cup is continually half empty. One person corrected me, “No,” he said, “My cup is completely empty.” What a sad way to spend the final years.
Of course, as seniors, we do look at things differently. We often disapprove of the current music, fashions and entertainment idols just as our parents did. Face it, now we are the ones with the old-fashioned values.
For example, the noisy restaurant. Younger people find the noise essential. It shows it is an in and happening place.
How foolish to choose to go there, hate the place, waste an evening and then bitch as if it was their fault. Often it is our choices that make us miserable. If something is upsetting, don’t go there, listen to it, buy it or associate with it.
We cannot change the future, but our choices can determine how we face it. For me, I’m trying for humor, dignity and preparation That is, a will, health instructions and a system to check on me daily.
These are serious topics, but that doesn’t mean life has to be all serious, somber and sober. A much older friend was recently asked what made him happy. He replied, “Waking up in the morning.” Think about it.
