I question whether this is the most appropriate post-Thanksgiving post because I do have a lot to be grateful for - starting with hot showers - but I promised an aging post. We are going to skip leftovers, rainbows and puppies (although I do swoon at all three) and go straight to Old Age. I didn’t use that as the title because I want more readers, not fewer.
Post Midlife sounds far more PC than Old Age or Over The Hill. Senior isn't a bad term, as in ‘Senior Crossing’ on a number of street signs. They don’t mean crossing over; they just don’t want cars to mow us down. The term Elder absolutely reeks of wisdom and maybe a sniff of sage. Crone used to be a popular title. I never warmed to that – too Shakespearean. We have plenty of terms for growing old, from delicate to insulting. Call this stage of life whatever you want, or ignore aging. It doesn’t matter. We are not in charge. Aging is like the weather or reality or my jowls – aging doesn't care how we feel; it happens anyway.
Last week, I railed on Midlifers' complaints that they are facing mortality. We are the ones facing mortality.
So, here's the happy part. When I think about aging and the ultimate destination of that particular trip, I quiver, yes, but then I move along to the fact that aging might be the most democratic aspect of all our lives. I am not alone in getting older. Neither are you. Everyone, even those billionaires who have gotten used to buying themselves out of the unpleasant aspects of life, must contend with mortality. They are on the same trip. Sure, their hospice will have silk sheets and spa music, and they may be administered a higher quality of morphine, but the trip.... the trip is unidirectional ........even if you are in first class.
See you next Tuesday when we can discuss the ever stressful holiday season.
Not the Trip We Planned - maybe that's what I should have titled the post - is in it's final trimester. Nothing like the pitter patter of turning fresh pages in the new year. Koehler will have it out in March, 2025, shortly after the demise of democracy.
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