On Wednesday, July 24, I turned 71. A few years ago, when Cynthia and I were in our late 60s, we noted that being 60-something did not seem so old, but being 70-something – now that sounded old! Until now I haven’t used senior parking spaces at the supermarket, but I like the free SEPTA pass that gets me in and out of the city on public transportation. And I take senior discounts when they are offered. But not too often.
This 71st year of my life has been sobering. Just a few weeks after my 70th birthday, I was in a head-on collision. My 2003 Toyota Corolla was totaled but saved my life when an oncoming driver drifted into my lane. I was not badly hurt but It took several months to work through all the bumps and bruises, and when was I was able to get around, I was very hesitant about driving anywhere. While I was not seriously hurt physically, I dealt with fear and trauma for several months.
At the same time, I was dealing with an undiagnosed autoimmune disorder I first experienced in 2021 that caused me to be fatigued, achy, and inflamed, especially in my head. But as my body healed from the accident, it also seemed to affect the autoimmune issues, so I am much better overall than I was before the accident. I still see way too many doctors and take too many pills, but I am feeling stronger and healthier than I have in three years.
It was disturbing to witness all the ageist commentary about President Biden over the past several months. I am quite aware that if I am still around ten years from now, I will be his age. Biden’s poor performance at the June debate sealed his fate, and wisely and humbly he stepped down. I admire him for his conviction that he could beat Trump and still do the job as president. I also admire him for realizing he needed to allow someone else to do the job from here. I know that feeling he was struggling with. We still feel we have something to contribute but as we age, we are perceived to be less able and less sharp. Sometimes that is true, but not always.
I don’t know what this next year will hold. I am hoping for no more accidents or physical issues, but I have little control over that. A while ago I read an article by the psychologist and author M. Scott Peck (ala The Road Less Travelled) who said that he decided to treat the aging process as an adventure. I like that perspective. Over the remaining years of my life, I will be encountering challenges I have never faced before with my mind, my body, my relationships and general overall well-being. I want to still stay involved starting with electing Kamala Harris president and defeating Donald Trump in November. While my future is relatively short, there are many much younger than I whose future I do care about and so I will do what I can with others to address the challenges we face. Bring on the adventure!
As if to underline the challenges that lie ahead, on my birthday this year, I tested positive for COVID-19. Fortunately, with the help of Paxlovid, I recovered in just a few days, though the fatigue that comes with COVID has lingered, and I must take it slow.
One thing my accident taught me was that tomorrow is never promised, so I must live for today. Every morning, I wake up and repeat a personal motto, which among other things includes this statement: “I will live one day at a time and accept what is on this day.” So, I will take the lessons of last year and look forward to each day as it comes.
So glad you are on the mend. Great seeing you in DC. Lee
Great seeing and hearing from you, Drick. My turn entering those 70’s are right around the corner. So, I am asking similar questions and looking forward to the adventure. Reggie
Brick, while I am a few years behind you in age (67) my personal refrain is that each day is a gift in a new and fresh way. My prayers are with you as we both age in grace and God’s love.
Thanks Drick…I needed to read this today. I’ll be waking up tomorrow, ready for a new adventure for each day ahead.
I can manage to view each day as a gift, but the adventure part seems more unattainable. So I am glad for your words on how you are navigating our older age with grace and wisdom amidst its challenges.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts about aging, Drick. I turned 70 on June 25 and I was in Malawi. When you are older than most young people, they call you “Mdala” similar to “Mzee” in Swahili, as in Mzee Jomo Kenyatta. It is a respectful way of saying “you are an institution of knowledge having lived this long”. When you get over 85, they stop you from being involved in lots of village processes as they know you have this knowledge, yes, but you are so forgetful, and your reasoning is greatly compromised. So enjoy yourself, Drick, until you get to 85 then it will indeed be a downhill slope.
Mike – Thanks for the African wisdom