On Getting Old -- 55

I’ve been remiss in my postings, but I hope to catch up. You see I’m in the home stretch. The bridge is in sight. On Friday 23Oct I begin the cross to the other side -- my birthday. I will have achieved the big “seven oh”.

The journey and the search for candy has been most interesting. The idea to look for the daily candy has helped me along this psychological trip to old age.

I made a point of talking to people along the way regarding my trek. More than once a conversation turned out to be my candy for the day.

A few of weeks ago I went to the Nessett Center in Des Plaines for my biannual blood test. The time was early morning, 7:30 AM. After being shown to the small room by the young nurse, Mickie, I sat down in the chair and lowered the padded arm support.

I was the first patient of the day for the young nurse. Her smile was infectious. As she prepared the syringe and vials to take my blood samples, we talked of my journey and hunt for candy. She told me not to worry about the big “seven-oh”. After all 70 is only a number.

“But such a big number, when it comes to age,” I said.

She told me about raising her son on her own and the difficulties she faced in today’s world. Her faith in God helped her through the tough times, and she always tried to keep her smile beaming. Keep smiling she told me.

What a treasure to find my candy so early in the day and from one so relatively young.

Ciao