Something to Look Forward to…

As it turns out, I’m the oldest employee at work–well, I’m even older than the owners of the business.  The youngest person in the office is 25-years’ my junior, the oldest is still several years younger than me.  One of the guys who is 20 years younger than me asked me an interesting question a couple of days ago, “why is it that you’re never sick like the rest of us are all the time?”  Without hesitation, I profoundly responded, “because you all still have little mobile petri dishes running around your homes.  I’m immune.”  See what you have to look forward to?  I have a personal policy at work to not allow people to stand too close to me when engaging in office chat and I don’t share the dishes in the community break room.  I always wash my hands after shaking with someone who has children.  Absolutely no hugging in the office.  That’s just creepy anyway.  Who does that?

 

Cassie and Cheer Relaxing

Now, before some of you get bent out of shape, I’m not the healthiest frog in the pond.  I’ve got high cholesterol and I’m sporting an olderly guy belly (I can still see my feet, though).  I hate salads, even though I eat them a couple of times a week, I’m 25-30 lbs over weight and I really enjoy cookies–preferably chocolate chip but I’m okay with just about anything that looks like a cookie.  I see my doctor at least twice each year.

I’m at the age where it is recommended that we get flu/pneumonia/shingles, etc. shots and multiple vitamins with silver on the label.

I have aches and pains in places that I didn’t know existed; heck, I even hurt when my wife hurts.  It takes me 2 days to complete and another 2 days to recover from what it used to take me 30 minutes to accomplish.  However, there be a trade off.

Though I may not be as quick as I used to be, I am mentally sharper than a good #2 pencil after exiting the sharpener; I thirst for information to keep my mind active and I hunger for spiritual enlightenment; my creative outlets are much more satisfying and healing.  I still don’t have the patience for adult coloring books, but I truly enjoy writing and watercolor painting.

When I was younger, I thought I was pretty smart but now I enjoy knowing and not thinking that I know what’s in my head.  I’m pleased to learn something new that I was afraid of because I didn’t know I could learn it, such as, how to build a solar generator.   I may fear falling from a ladder and breaking my wrist and damaging my shoulder again but I don’t fear anyone or what they may think of me.  There’s an interesting peace in knowing that the everyday crap doesn’t bother you anymore.  Okay, young people with crazy ideas and a complete lack of understanding bothers me a bit but I get over it.  It’s amazing how much the older folks I knew when I was younger learned so much as I got older.

I’m very pleased where I am now–I don’t think I was truly content when I was a younger person.

Don’t get me wrong, I’d gladly have a cold or some other contagion if my grand kids were here where we could visit with them daily or even monthly but that’s the trade off.

I praise God everyday and am thankful for who I am today.  I am grateful for my peace and any blessings I can find (and even those I’m not aware of)–especially my wife.  Don’t let anyone tell you that she is not a blessing.  And, of course, our fur babies.

I pray and wish for all of you the same peace and self-awareness that I have accomplished, thus far.  It doesn’t mean that I’m not frustrated or irritated by the world, I am, but it doesn’t rule me any longer.

I turn it over to Christ Jesus and get on with the rest of the day.

Jay 🙂

Philippians 4:6 (ESV)

do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

 

 

 

 

I’m Officially Olderly…

I know, it’s been a while, probably about a month since my last post.  I have enjoyed reading many of your posts.  Welcome back, Emperor OM.

Busy, busy, busy.  I now have a new assistant trained so I am no longer working six days a week.  🙂

I’ve been concerned because my little sister, while on vacation visiting dad, had an aneurysm rupture in her head.  She is out of ICU and in rehab but doing much better.  It will take a little time.  While she was in the hospital, her husband came down with a major infection but he was released from the same hospital today.  He should be okay and follow up with his doc when he gets home in a couple of weeks.  I won’t share it here but dad sent me a very touching picture of the two of them in the hospital lounge on an upper floor, in their hospital garb, awaiting the fireworks display over the city.  My prayers, as well as the prayers of hundreds of others, have been answered.  🙂

As for me, I’ve been tired but really, I’m okay…except for that nagging pain in my neck.  A couple of weeks ago I go to see my doc. X-rays indicate I have Cervical spondylosis (age-related arthritis plus bone spurs in the vertebrae).  Don’t worry, 85% of people over 60 have it, I’m just slightly ahead of my time.  We’ll try physical therapy first and go from there.

I know quite a few guys who have a problem going to the doctor until they are on death’s bed. Me, I get stuff checked as soon as possible.  I beat down high cholesterol by being proactive; I’m working on getting my weight down; and, will do my best to figure out the best way to get around this, too.   I’ve was tough in my younger days, now I’m in it to see how long I can last.  Dad just hit 80 so I have a target.

So, my follow up with doc today revealed also that she has a sense of humor.  As she was leaving the exam room, she turned toward me, smiled and said, “Face it, you’re starting to fall apart…let’s see if we can delay it a little longer.”

Thanks, doc.

Jay 🙂