It can be a real trip to be a senior

by Father Mark Goldasich

By the time you read these words, I’ll have celebrated another birthday. Although they seem to come faster and faster, I’m blessed to still be alive and kicking.

I’ve been reflecting on some occasions when I realized I was getting older.

The first time was while playing tennis with friends during college. One of us smacked the ball over a fence and I was heading out to retrieve it. After just a few steps, a young voice called out, “Hey, sir, I’ll get it for you.”

My initial thought was, “Who is he calling ‘sir’?” When I realized it was me, I nearly vaulted the fence to prove I was young, fit and limber. Though tempted to say, “Don’t you ‘sir’ me, you little whippersnapper,” in the end, I meekly croaked, “Thanks, buddy!”

The next memorable time came when teaching theology at Marymount International School in Rome in 1980-81. While discussing “milestone moments,” I said, “For example, we all know exactly where we were when Kennedy was assassinated.” Blank looks from the students. I tried to prompt them, “President Kennedy? 1963?” It was then they gleefully informed me that was the year they were born!

Meeting engaged couples for marriage prep now is shocking when I ask the year they were born. It’s 2000 or a few years later. (I don’t ask if they remember Y2K.)

It’s taking a bit more time, too, to retrieve things from the hard drive of my mind. Check out this story about an elderly couple enjoying dinner in another elderly couple’s home:

After eating, the wives went to chat in the kitchen while the men retired to the den.

One of the gentlemen said, “Last night, we went out to a new restaurant, and it was really good. I highly recommend it.”

The other said, “What was the name of the restaurant?”

The first man thought and thought and finally said, “What’s the name of the flower that you give to someone you love? You know, the one that’s red and has thorns?”

“Do you mean a rose?” asked his friend.

“Yes, that’s the one,” said the first guy. He then turned toward the kitchen and yelled, “Hey, Rosey, what’s the name of the restaurant we went to last night?”

Can you relate?

Alas, there are other signs as well, among them:

• You try to straighten out the wrinkles in your socks and discover you aren’t wearing any.

• You wake up looking like your driver’s license picture.

• At the breakfast table, you hear snap, crackle and pop . . . and you’re not eating cereal.

• Your idea of weightlifting is standing up.

• Your contact list has mostly names that begin with Dr.

• You look for your cellphone for a half-hour before realizing you’ve been talking on it the whole time.

But along with the foibles of growing older comes an appreciation of all of God’s blessings, especially the family and friends that love you.

There is, as well, wisdom that comes with age, as captured in this reflection:

Suppose life isn’t about finishing on top but knowing when to stop.

Suppose life isn’t about learning to live with stress but learning to live with less.

Suppose life isn’t about pushing yourself to the limit but embracing every minute.

Suppose life isn’t about constant action but eliminating distraction.

Suppose life isn’t about what you chase but resting in God’s grace.

The above words aren’t mine — but typical for my age, I’ve forgotten the original source (and Google was no help).

Gee, I see that it’s now time for “Happy Hour,” better known to us seniors as nap time!