Lately, I’ve been thinking maybe I should stop coloring my roots so people realize how old I am. Since I still have a really active mind and an over enthusiastic heart, it seems as if a lot of people don’t realize my old body is starting to revolt.
Awhile back, I had to go to a council meeting for Rally In The Alley, a project I’ve been working on that features Live Entertainment and Food Trucks outside The Star Theatre every Thursday night in May. When one of the downtown committee members at the meeting smiled and joked, “ What are you going to do for June?” I had to grab my buttock because my sciatic nerve started screaming down my left leg at the thought of running around another couple of months.
I don’t know when the creepy voice took up residency in my head, but the other day when I started running across the street to the post office, the voice yelled, “If you fall in the middle of the street, you’re going to look like a flailing turtle.” And when I was coming down the ladder after washing the Box Office window, it warned in a mocking tone, “Don’t miss that last step.” I find having to pay constant attention to that nagging voice is really slowing me down.
And talk about putting a damper on things. I no longer have the kind of “thin skin” that can’t take criticism, but the tissue-like kind that tears when I bump into anything, soaking my pant legs with blood. I really should start carrying a first kit for Seniors, I guess.
It’s a compliment when people ask me to help with their projects. But I’ve realized something lately. There’s a huge difference between working on an all-night prom (when I was young) and spear heading Rally In the Alley (now that I’m old.) My joints and muscles used to love doing handstands right after a successful event for my students, but now I can hardly turn my neck, raise my arms or bend my knees to get out of bed the morning after an awesome event for the community. Life definitely includes more Recovery Time in old age.
The Mayo Clinic has a wonderful article called “Aging, What to expect” in one of its newsletters. They included a lot of useful ways to promote good health too. They say it’s not unusual to have stiffening of blood vessels that increase high blood pressure as we age. Our bones tend to shrink in size and density while muscles lose endurance and flexibility. Structural change in our digestive system can result in constipation while less elastic bladders cause more trips to the bathroom. But eating healthy, including physical exercise and getting enough sleep are things older people can do to maintain productive lives.
Personally, I’ll be dozing by the pool next week — after coloring my roots. That’s productive, right? Ha!
It’ll Be OK.
Rest and Relaxation
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“If I had known I was going to live this long, I’d have taken better care of myself.” ~ Anonymous
COMMENT: Do you have a change in your body that is slowing you down? What’s your favorite way to relax?
I like your sense of humor. I've always felt young, maybe because I don't represent my age, I'm a sportswoman and I never stop, but this year, during my preventive check-up, I found out that I have severe osteoporosis, I have the bones of an old woman, but here I am with the same optimism, taking care not to fall and continuing my life.
I'm on the side of continued coloring of my hair, I just like it that way. Maybe it shouldn't matter but it does make me feel better about myself.