Monday, April 27, 2009
(This was written in March 26, 2009 and posted later.)
The Passing of Colors
Reaching 60 is pressing into my daily reality now.
I am the oldest at work.
Sonya, the youngest and last of the older generation on both sides of my family moved into the spiritual realm last Tuesday. I am the eldest living relative on my father's side. I am still one of the babies on my mother's side but at least five first cousins have passed on, including my older brother and sister.
I would divide my life into these stages:
Babyhood | 1-2 | Franklin Street |
Early Childhood | 3-6 | Disruption |
Middle Childhood | 7-12 | Tarrytown |
Teen | 13-19 | Ossining, Jimmy |
Young Adult | 20-32 | Binghamton U, Dave, Marriage, Ray, Nittany Ln |
Adult | 33-47 | Ray, Dan, Charlie, Nittany Lane, Shippensburg U |
Young Senior | 48-59 | Ron, S Mill Rd, BRCF |
Middle Senior | 60-72 | Mike, S Mill Rd, Suela |
Elder Senior | 73-84 | |
Elder 85+ | | |
Of course, where the break points will be between middle senior, elder senior and elder will depend upon health and relationships that I can't prophesize.
So what does it mean to be in my Middle Senior years? I haven't slowed down too much yet. I can still get in my car and drive 4 hours with no problems, walk at lunchtime. Bending sometimes can be an ouchy affair, my left knee is getting worse, minor arthritis around my thumbs. Diabetes and blood pressure are still under control and I look younger than my years although my neck and lower belly areas could use some surgical clean-up!
Mentally I seem fine, unless my blood sugar gets high. Then I get dull and sleepy. It is a good incentive to keep my carbohydrate intake at a reasonable level. Although I stopped my Spanish again, I am trying to better my chess game. Mike and I have a fun rivalry. I do enjoy science shows and documentaries in HD and I am a bit of a newshound.
All in all at the start of this phase, things are very good -- especially since I found love. I never expected it, but it is here and it is wonderful. I am glad that I lived long enough to experience it. I am also exuberant that I lived long enough to have a granddaughter. I want to get to know her and to have a relationship with her although I am sorry that Ray distanced himself from me over it.
I am pleased that I went to Sonya's funeral. It was good to visit with Abby, John, Chelsea, Matthew, Harriet, Bruce, Mary, and Kristi. Of course there are Suela and Ray and Mike and Amanda too! Keeping some sort of family going is now my job as THE senior member! Of course, Harriet would object to anyone being the leader except her - that may take some finagling to work around! But I will take the job seriously. I will try and figure out some way to keep connections among us vital. The TarryEson Unity... perhaps a funny membership card, a reunion some time next summer and send out Bruce's genealogy chart.
Rosalind 3:32 PM
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