Elders
I Don’t Want To Be A Senior Citizen
Crow’s Feet writing prompt #13: World Senior Citizen’s Day
I didn’t know how to spell Cenyour Citysin, now I are one
They tell me August 21st is World Senior Citizen’s Day.
Not on my calendar. Do I need a reminder that of the 8 billion people in the world, I am among the 55 million in the US who are decrepit?
Wrong word. I meant 65+, the odd age which someone chose as the divider.
Here’s the issue. I am not 65+ but well beyond. I wonder what to call my official international day. There is nothing on my calendar for that.
Admittedly it is a one-sided calendar, somewhat limited. For example, it shows me the 17th is Black Cat Appreciation Day. The 20th is International Homeless Animals Day (and, reminding us to watch our calories, on August 27th, 1980, Tiger, a 43-pound cat, died).
I’ve discovered an intriguing resource, Demographic Analysis Estimates for the Total Population: April 1st, 2020
If you so desire, you can find out how many people are your age in the US. It shows me that out of the 331,449,281 of us, there are only 462,778 who are 83-year-old men like me.
(As an aside, 638,075 females are 83. Hmmm)
There’s not a breakoff point that works. It is a clue if you have to Google their age when you see a famous person or rock star rolling on.
Once in a while, I try to remember what I was doing at 65, 70, 75, etc. I amaze myself that I was still in action at some of those times.
Remembering is relatively easy since I was born in 1939. Start with a decade and add one. Now that I think of it, that calculation shows you how perky my noggin remains if I do it right. But you must remember, I still have ten fingers for the count.
When I started Medicare, I ran three miles daily, herded our kids through middle and high school, and worked forty hours weekly at a medical center.
Not bragging but laying the groundwork for a particular day on the calendar
What about International What Ever Happened To The Nut Jogger Day?
Too wordy. Maybe World Never Give Up Day? International Too Old To Die Young Day?
Willie Nelson sings:
I woke up still not dead again today The news said I was gone to my dismay Don’t bury me, I’ve got a show to play And I woke up still not dead again today
So the enduring country rocker is six years older than I am. He has been married four times but seemed unable to resist other alluring sirens.
One could say that he has lived so long despite his weddings. (Joke, spouse). On the other hand, his present marriage is going on 30 years (Am I forgiven, spouse)?
I hope this silliness relieves us elders of unneeded worry. Why be down when jumping up, grabbing coffee, and seeing what’s happening out your window?
A little trick I learned from our son is the 5–4–3–2–1 Coping Technique for Anxiety:
- 5: Acknowledge FIVE things you see around you. …
- 4: Acknowledge FOUR things you can touch around you. …
- 3: Acknowledge THREE things you hear. …
- 2: Acknowledge TWO things you can smell. …
- 1: Acknowledge ONE thing you can taste.
By the time I get done, I’ve forgotten what worried me. What a relief to let go of fretting.
Do we need World Senior Citizen’s Day? Maybe, maybe not. Beware, it could be another effort to sell us a T-shirt.
The best bet is to turn the calendar around or perhaps drape a scarf over it. Somebody on TV or in the NY Times will remind you of the date.
The iconic black pitcher, Satchel Paige, asked the right question:
How old would you be if you didn’t know old you are?