By Bill Yee
“If I knew I was going to live this long, I would have taken better care of myself.” — Mickey Mantle
“A man’s got to know his limitations.” — Clint Eastwood’s character, Harry Callahan, in the film “Magnum Force” (1973)
As the years pass by, aging gracefully is often a difficult thing to do. Unfortunately we have no choice in the matter. This is extremely difficult for “Baby Boomers,” the inventors of the “youth culture.” Unfortunately, unlike the song, we are not “forever young.”
Since my late 60s, I’ve noticed a definite decline in my physical and cognitive abilities.
For example, on the tennis courts I have lost a step or two. This makes it difficult for me to keep up with high school tennis players whom I coach. I don’t or can’t run for balls anymore. I just say, “Nice shot.”
I no longer drive at night unless I know the route because I see like Mr. Magoo at night. I am blinded by the glare of oncoming cars. As young parents, I was my kids’ Uber driver. It’s great to now have my kids drive me.
The balance is not as good. I have to watch where I walk, especially on uneven sidewalks or dirt paths.
At the barber, I’m seeing more gray and white hair being cut. Others may see less hair or no hair at all.
Aging is especially hard for women. On a man, wrinkles are a sign of character; on a woman wrinkles, crow’s feet and a sagging neckline elicit comments like “Boy, does she look old!”
Forgetting appointments and names … In my old age I have missed a few doctor’s appointments. I don’t remember names like I used to. And, of course, like the classic characteristic of seniors, I forget why I enter a room!
Aging also means coming up with a response to a question two hours later after being asked, “Do you remember?” or “What year did…?”
It’s important not to give up the fight, know your limitations and adapt. It’s about keeping what we have, not mourning the loss of our youth and not dwelling on the challenges of age.
Instead of running 10K, a long walk is just as good for keeping in some sort of physical shape. I may not be the same tennis player that I was 10 years ago, but just getting on the court is good enough. Even playing pickleball will get the heart rate going and provide social interaction with others.
I never had a planner in my youth! I kept all my appointments in my head! Now a yearly ritual is to go online and buy a planner on Amazon. I now write every appointment in the planner. I use a timer to remind me when to take the many medications that will keep me healthy.
Recently in one of my Zoom meetings with college roommates, we all lamented how our health has changed in the last 10 years. But we are also appreciative that, despite life-threatening conditions, we are still here and still able to enjoy another day!
On that note, one of my friends in a recent conversation said, “We are not at halftime in our life journey. It’s more like the two-minute warning!”
As a senior I need to celebrate life. I must be grateful I have made it to this point. Despite health challenges I am healthy enough to still engage in hobbies, travel and enjoy my kids and grandson.
All of us must enjoy life with an urgency … do what gives us joy and not waste the time we have left.
Perhaps the most important thing for me is to be around long enough to see my kids marry, become parents and find fulfillment in their chosen careers. It would also be nice to see the next big invention or cure for a disease.
I am no longer forever young and I do accept the limitations of old age with gratitude for making it this far!
Bill Yee is a retired Alhambra High School history teacher. He can be reached at paperson52@gmail.com. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of The Rafu Shimpo.