I keep hearing the statement, 60 IS THE NEW 40. This is being said by 60 year
olds. Does this mean 30 is the new 10? The first time I heard this wisdom, my
cousin was sharing his wonderful Florida life, with our younger relatives. He
turned to me and said, " Judy don't you agree"? My answer, "I wish someone
would tell my back"!
Even if you color your hair, extend it, wig it, wear spandex, botox your
face, and have cosmetic surgery, I suspect your body will still know the truth,
and still act your real age, regarding aches and pains.
I read that Michael Jackson's autopsy showed he had extreme arthritis, and
his hair was really gray. He was still a great dancer, singer and entertainer
but if age could effect him, what hope do the rest of us have?
As the old commercial used to say, You Can't Fool Mother Nature. It would
certainly be nice to be appreciated and honored for your age and wisdom. Think
what I could save on wrinkle creams alone? My New Jersey cousin and I had a
lengthy discussion about the show Pippin and the role of the Grandmother. Her
memorable line, " maybe if I refuse to grow old, I can stay young till I die"
We are all finite beings, frustrating but true. I am trying to make the best of
my time, I hope it's a long time. Do you think 80's think they are really
60?
Some people have a high threshold of pain and some have good health and tons of energy. Some of it is diet, some genetics, some good luck (not to be in the wrong place at the wrong time when someone could get you ill, for example, or being in the wrong place and getting into a terrible car crash that physically affects you forever after that). Some people have old. frail parents and problematic children. So at age 60, they are sandwiched by huge responsibilities for others and no time for themselves. This all makes age relative and subjective.
ReplyDeleteOur society is ageist and superficial. We worship physical appearance of beauty, but 40 is 40 and 60 is 60. We are living longer and more of us are old than young right now. If there ever is an opportunity to change how society views age, now is it! Still, occasionally we get it right and respect and discern the beauty that is soul-deep, the grace that is in a seasoned body who takes care of all his/her adult responsibilities while still experiencing youthful delight, enthusiasm, and openness, grabbing life with both hands. Such a person needn't fear gray and won't allow pain to squelch joy.
Barbara
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