joyful2beeblogs

From childhood on, people comment on whether we look older or younger: when we started school, or graduated from high school, got married, had children, etc. It makes a young person feel older, in a more mature way, when they hear such praise from others.

As the younger person hears these magic words, they generally feel pride because of the praise, “You’re getting older” usually implies that you are learning more challenging tasks, making better grades, acting more maturely, showing more controlled behavior and a number of other positive behaviors. The young person’s pride grows, thinking about how they have matured, learned lessons from school or a neighbor, or they are on their way to adulthood.

When an older person, is told by many older friends, that they look twenty years younger than others their age, that person feels flattered that they have kept their youthful look, hairstyle, or ways of dressing. As far as behavior for that age, that is up to the individual. They may act like big kids or they may act in a mature way or they may behave in whatever way satisfies them.

When I turned sixty, people responded with surprise! “You don’t look like you’re 60 years old! You couldn’t be over fifty!”

I then smiled and reassured them that I was definitely sixty years old. Their compliments gave me quite a lift and made me smile.

Now that I am seventy-four years old. I don’t get the compliments so much any more, which doesn’t bother me. My two best friends are ten years younger than I am. I have always cut up and laughed with my two good friends. We keep each other young.

At seventy-four, I feel like I am slowing down some. Because of physical changes in my body, a decrease in my energy, and physical problems that have been coming on for years after nursing for thirty-seven years in the hospital. I loved being a nurse. As a nurse, I learned so much about patients, disease, the human body, family members of patients, doctors, and coworkers. That covers a lot of territory. But I think of what I have learned of life and how to live it.

I have two herniated discs in my lower back which are slightly rotated lumbar discs, and one mild herniated one in my neck. I loved being a nurse, but my poor back didn’t take to it very well.

Twelve years after I retired due to back problems, I began to have sciatica down the back of my left leg from my lower discs in my back. I am getting along with it fairly well now, but I have to take it easy when it comes to lifting things over 10 pounds or more.

So now at seventy-four, my age is showing. I tire more easily. My left leg feels the sciatic nerve ache sometimes; I try to take my time when doing tasks around the home, so that I don’t tire out too easily. But I do get things done each day. I love my home, family, and my neighbors. I frequently speak to someone who looks like they need someone’s patient ear to listen to them. I have helped when called upon. I try to help where I am able. I am thankful for my life and am happy knowing that I have helped many people while I was working as a nurse and generally reached out to others. I feel satisfied that my life has been a good one.

I smile at strangers. I have had strangers open the doors for me, since I use a cane when I am walking a lot. I don’t care how old or young I look. What matters is how I treat people. Do I help others? Do I see someone who needs a helping hand or a listening ear?

The funny thing is, I think that my willingness to smile at people and not avoid eye contact help to make me look younger. The neat thing about it is when they smile back, I get to smile too, which also makes me look younger, right along with them!

Be kind. Be helpful. Listen to the heartbroken. Be thankful for what you have. Share what you have with others who need it. Find joy in beauty, love, people, nature, and animals who are learning possibly from us to be friendly. You never know who or what you might influence, see, teach, or save.