You’ve probably heard the term “growing old gracefully.” Or maybe that’s “graciously,” I’m not sure. I AM sure, though, that growing old is nothing like I imagined it would be.
Although I’m “trapped” inside a 60-something-old body, in my mind I’m still about 19 or 20. Though I’m overweight and out of shape, in my mind I can still remember running 100 meter and 800 meter races in high school P.E. classes. (Do they still call them P.E. classes?) Indeed, there are days when just getting out of bed and making it to that first cup of coffee makes me feel like I’m 80-something and headed for the adult diaper stage before sundown. (No offense intended to those who need adult diapers, really.)
But today is the first day of the rest of my life (a phrase highly popular and thought to be profound back in the 1960s). I just read some stories about recent medical studies that indicate it really is almost NEVER too late to improve yourself mentally and physically, and even extend your life span to a ripe old age like 90-something.
I’m hitting the sidewalk, getting away from this computer long enough to take a daily walk. And I’m cutting back on the evening junk food and deserts. I’m shooting for 96 years old.
Join me??