Soo Line: Signs You’re Getting Older

Soo Line by SOO Greiman

Recently I celebrated another birthday. I’m grateful for that! Yippee!

I like how birthdays have a way of making us pause and take inventory.

Throughout my life, I’ve seen that growing older is a privilege denied to many. That’s why waking up and having another chance to do this thing called life is a great opportunity and blessing.

The trouble is nobody prepares you for the positive things about aging. Our culture seems to like to, at every over-40 or over-50 birthday party, bombard the birthday person with all kinds of maladies, teasing about how disgusting growing older can be. You’re warned about gray hair. You’ll receive assurance that soon your knees will ache or arthritis is coming for you. Maybe, they say, at some time in the future, your metabolism will send your body a formal resignation letter. You get warned about uncomfortable health issues ahead, but few point out the good things about aging.

Having found that to be true, while I was celebrating another trip around the sun, I made a list of helpful lessons I’ve learned by aging. Here are some signs to be aware of:

You’re given the senior discount on sight.

OK, the first time this happens, it might hurt a bit, like when a 20-something at the movies glances up and immediately tells you about the senior discount. It’ll make you wince. But remind yourself, “Hey, I’m saving money, so it’s not so bad.”

You get mail from AARP.

Again, the first time it happens, you cringe. Mail from AARP? What, am I 90? Keep in mind they start their pitch early. But again, you just might, at times, appreciate the savings they offer.

You ask for help with electronics.

Maybe years back, you were a whiz, like I was, on the electric typewriter. College papers were a breeze. Today, while you can keyboard at quite a clip, in other areas you’re behind. Often you need to ask for assistance when it comes to buying an app, downloading music or changing something on your cell phone, which comes naturally to younger generations. That’s OK, just listen and learn.

You use outdated phrases.

You say that you have to wash your “blue jeans” instead of just saying “jeans.” Or say a dance move is really “hip.” It’s just a sign you haven’t transitioned into using today’s trendy sayings. So what? No harm in that.

You find yourself yelling “Slow down!” at younger drivers whipping past you.

The road you are on is not the Autobahn, but a car filled with teens flies past. Remember how your dad used to shout, “Slow down!” Yep, now you’re doing the same thing. It shows others in the car with you, like your grandkids, that driving responsibly matters.

You still rock out listening to ’80s bands.

Sure, you’re a huge music fan. Then suddenly it hits you: You only listen to the bands of your younger days. But what’s wrong with Jon Bon Jovi, right? And the good ole Beach Boys are still wonderful. Listen to what you want.

You sit a lot more.

You find more and more that you’re content to stay put. If you plopped yourself down without getting anything, no problem. Whatever it is, it can wait.

You take a lot longer to get up.

Getting up from the couch, or heaven help you, the floor where you were doing leg lifts, is a bit of a production. It might be funny to watch, but it’s not fun when you’re in the middle of it. Still, keep moving.

You actually know what probiotics are and what high-fiber foods do for your body.

You used to totally tune out when health commercials came on, but now you kind of tune in. Will that yogurt really help my gut? Am I constipated? Oh, the horror. You learn that eating right does make a difference.

You realize you should exercise more.

How many times can you hear about the importance of exercise and still ignore that you need to take care of yourself? Look for random pains and strains to sneak up on you fast. Don’t let them get you down. Stay active.

You’ve been known to say, “When I was your age…”

It used to drive you crazy when your elders compared what you were doing with what they did at your age … and now, you’re doing the same thing. You realize aging is about revelations, and one is that we’re all part of a big cycle that repeats itself every generation, right? Keep saying those phrases so the younger ones will know.

You embrace who you are.

For how many years did you hate your straight hair, or your beauty mark or your chicken legs? Then one day you realize each one of us is special, and this is who you are. It helps going through life with this understanding.

You talk to yourself.

Grandma used to have entire conversations with herself. More and more, you’re doing the same, saying, “Where did I put those keys?” or “Now what did I come downstairs for?”

You opt for comfortable over stylish.

It may have taken you a while to grasp, but jeans and a comfy shirt pretty much get you through life. You’ve lost the urge to go out primped and polished, especially when it’s not a special occasion.

You grow spiritually.

No one lives forever, and that has you thinking more about God and heaven. You also think more about your fellow humans — and try to make the world a better place, instead of just a better place for you.

How is your coding coming along? Did you know there’s a texting code for seniors?

Another area worth getting a bit more experience in is the texting code for people “getting on in years.” Here are a few examples you can start practicing now by sending them to your kids. ATD — At the Doctor; BFF — Best Friend Fell; BTW — Bring the Wheelchair; DWI — Driving While Incontinent; FWIW — Forgot Where I Was; ROFLACGU — Rolling on Floor Laughing and Can’t Get Up; TTYL — Talk to You Louder.

“Getting old,” as my aunt used to say constantly, “is not for sissies!” She was right, but those of us blessed with age find it can bring its own kind of happy perspective and contentment. God knows living life is the most blessed and beautiful experience you’ll ever have.

Happy worry-free birthday!