farewell to the teens

I feel old. It’s partly because I’m turning the big 2-0 this September. It's partly because my back aches and my ankles pop every time I go down stairs. It’s partly because I’m completely independent of my parents. Aaannndd, it’s partly because I just spent the day crocheting, playing Rummikub and Yahtzee, watching Oprah and Family Feud, and waiting in two doctors’ offices for appointments. I didn’t quite realize that this would be my riveting summer schedule until I took the full-time job as a caretaker of my Grandma Doyle for the next few months in Arizona. Yes, it has a few social downsides…but, I’ve decided that there are priceless lessons that I believe everyone should learn through taking care of and spending time with people on the upper side of the age spectrum.

The elderly can be entertaining believe it or not. And dang! they can sure put you in your place when they slaughter you at Rummikub. We played for at least 3 hours…while other people my age could’ve watched two short movies, gone to two college courses, or visited every store in the mall…but, oh no, not me—I enjoy living on the edge. My grandma and I walked to her friend Jackie’s house to play games. She’s one of those people who slightly resembles her dog—a pug. : ] Don’t get me wrong, she doesn’t exactly look like she just ran into a wall, she’s just a cute, spunky little lady, who quickly demonstrated her hostess skills as she put out some orange slices and cherries to eat as we played. She hobbled back and forth to get things situated for our intense gaming. Here’s some snippets of conversation that went on:

Jackie:

“And he said to me, ‘well, didn’t you expect to feel that way when you were 75?’”

[during Rummikub] “Is that black or blue over there…well, that one’s a no-goer.”

[talking to my gma] “Oh, honey I wish I could do something for that cough—here, suck on this tootsie pop.”

“Man, I have a sweet tooth a mile long!!” [as she’s dumping chocolate covered peanuts on a plate]

“Either this darn chair is sinking or I’m shrinking!”

“Here, eat another orange, they’re sooo sweet!”

[talking on the phone] “You can’t put pressure on your foot for 7 weeks??? You better take my power chair—IT’S FAST!!!” : ]

“Come on, come on, give me a 5….well, that’s not a cool 5.” [during Yahtzee as she rolled a 2]

** “Maurine [Gma D.] saved me. Six months after I moved here my husband died, and then Maurine and I became great friends. She saved me.” **

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I learned a lot today. Most of what I learned can’t exactly be expressed in words. I became 10,000 times more grateful for my body and it’s abilities. I thanked God for a chance to hear treasured and genuine stories. I learned how to truly enjoy spending time with wonderful women although they may be decades ahead of me. I learned how to not look at the clock and agonize over how long I’d been playing “an old person game”. I cherished the time I spent with them. I cherished my precious time and life ahead of me. Although I may think sprouting grey hair on my next birthday is a depressing and disturbing thought, I have a deeper appreciation for those spectacular “silver-haired” women.