November 29, 2009
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Growing Old Is Not For The Faint Of Heart
TALES FROM THE BRAT FARMThe Beast is proving to me that old age is not for the faint of heart. Somewhere along the line, however, you have to admit you ARE getting old and no longer capable of doing some things you never gave a second thought about when you were young. Like the 6 hour drive (that’s round trip) to Atlanta. It’s not too bad the first time for the Beast but to do it a second time with just two days to *rest up* , along with getting up at an ungodly hour, has proven too much for him.
He’s spent much of today *resting*. That includes the two hour nap he took but not the time in his recliner with his eyes closed and snoring lightly. He’s walking around moaning and groaning besides. I told him he just can’t do those things any more and he shot me a look that would have killed me had he had any super powers.
When you get *older*, you suddenly have to deal with things you never considered. Aches, pains, illnesses that all have to do with growing older. Arthritis. Osteoporosis. You become more susceptible to things like pneumonia, bronchitis, flu, cancer, diseases of the kidneys, prostate…..you get the idea. It all has to do with the fact that your whole body is old, tired out and not capable of throwing off or recovering from things like you once could. It’s not a pretty sight, nor a great thought.
But, if you accept the fact that you are older and need to take a little better care of yourself; not push yourself beyond your limits and to know what those limits are. That’s the real trick and it helps you live a longer and healthier life.
That’s my battle with the Beast. He won’t accept the fact that he just can’t do what he sets his mind to like he did when he was younger. The drives we once took and drove straight through for 24 hours….out of the question now. Thankfully, the road systems now have cut the time but we find we MUST stop for the night on longer trips. We no longer like driving when it’s dark outside unless its early in the morning and we can watch the sun come up. We HAVE done that more than once.
If I am driving to…say, Chicago. I don’t even think about making that trip in one day. We live closer now than we used to but I will stop over at Buttmunch’s and spend the night since she is just a bit under halfway. If she wasn’t going to be home for some reason, I would probably drive just a bit more and then stop for the night at a motel. I KNOW I am not young. I don’t FEEL old in many ways but I have learned to accept my limitations and I am comfortable with that.
I worry about the Beast because he could become dangerous to himself and others if he is overtired. Since his strokes, he tires easily. He fights it in his mind but his body isn’t up to it. One day, he will kill himself one way or another. I just do what I can to temper that with him. Not that he listens but I do try.
Time to get this posted. Love you all and wish you great weather and a wonderful day. Take care of yourself because one day, you too will be an old person. Adjust.
