(It is spring, somewhere!)
I am not sure how many of my family and others have been reading OUR HISTORY, I am sure some are waiting for the movie.
And I understand the thinking. No problem.
I want to ask the ones reading who are aging, do you have any input to the following questions:
***** What have you enjoyed about aging?
Me? I don’t worry as much about what others think of me. I still want to be politically correct, but I am not obsessed with it. The age of my car does not bother me, but come to think of it, I never worried too much about that.
****What are the biggest challenges of growing old?
Me?….Losing my hair and hearing.
…Forgetting words is also a challenge. I substitute many words for the one I really want to use.
…Facing the little wrinkles, the big ones don’t bother me, it is the looking at your arms and seeing a creek full of ripples.
…Realizing I cannot lift what I used to.
…Understanding technology, to me has been the most frustrating. Once I had an attorney tell me I needed to have my financial statement on a computer and print it out for the bank. He said ‘it is time you start applying for a construction loan instead of borrowing money on a hand shake.’
I drove to Charlotte and bought a $2300 computer. Brought it home, set it up in my office. The first thing on the screen was ‘INPUT DATE’. That was about 10 PM. It was 2AM before I got the date in.
It may not be apparent but I have years of training in ANALOG AND DIGITAL computers. I have programmed in cobol, lass and Fortran. I have repaired tube-type computers the size of the normal house. I had responsibility of all the IBM equipment on one of the Navy’s largest ships. In D.C., I supervised the largest printing system in the Navy. I taught Naval Intelligence Processing, AND I CANNOT INPUT THE DATE CORRECTLY INTO a little bitty personal computer. That is embarrassing.
I went to my typewriter and laboriously typed my companies financial statement for my appointment with the bank.
Technology, and trying to keep up has been my biggest mental challenge.
What about you?
Thanks for coming this way.
Nite Shipslog
PS:
About family history, I am not as interested in my family tree as I should be, I just want to fill my sons in on our lives.
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They were called Hot rods in the 1950’s and every teen ager wanted one.
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12 comments:
You know, Jack, the family might not be reading the words you are writing now, but they will read them later and by having taken the time to chronicle events like you are doing, they will appreciate it then (hopefull years from now) more than they might appreciate it now, if you get what I'm trying to say. I know my mom shared a lot about her growing up years and early marriage years, etc., and I remember a lot of what she said, but she never wrote them down and I have some written down, but not all and that pesky age of mine is making me forget things (which I should probably write down everything I know before I forget). So my point I'm making is they will appreciate it down the road and your grandkids too will appreciate it!
I find with aging its those pesky things of going into a room and not remembering why you did or seeing the word in your mind but not being able to get it out of your mouth, LOL. And of course the physical aging on the body; I can't run like I used to and getting up from the floor is a challenge these days :)
betty
I agree with Betty, your family will appreciate all that you have written. My brother and I are researching our family.There is so much that we do not know about them. As for aging the best thing I have discovered is that "All things do pass" as bad as things can seem,I know it will get better! I do not hear, see or remember things like when I was younger,but as a good friend of mine always says,it beats the alternative!
Let's see = a lot today. I am missing your on going love story.
I doube my kids would ever want to read my blog.
Now I have never been materialistic. I own no china, no silver, and no crystal. I don't have a new car - drive a 2000 Honda CRV. Don't worry about traveling - don't get me wrong I would love too, but it is not in the cards right now.
My biggest issue is the darn Iphone 4. Took me a long time to learn it and that means old to me.
I am trying to have courage growing older. The kids tease about it but I think it is a real issue.
The greatest thing about aging is you just don't care as much about everything as you used too.
Bras - can take or leave them - mostly leave them!
I try to look at life with laughter.
Sandie
Jack, you said, "Those of you who are aging..." Well time is only moving in one direction for all of us (even if you did get a head start on me).
I'm enjoying reading your story.
What is frustrating to me about technology is that things get obsolete much quicker now. If I plunk down the money to buy something, I'd like to be able to use it a while before it's out of date.
bonnie k.
I don't drive a new car, but did buy it new almost 20 years ago. To tell the truth, it is not driven much by anyone but me. Ha. We have a newer truck, but as long as one gets me around I will keep it. Sheila is all time asking me to write about years gone by, but I haven't done much of it. I don't know if any of my children read my blog, except her and Shawn since Ronnie passed away.
I used to really freak out about what people thought, the family I come from being really straight laced. Now I'm glad I have learned to not care what they think. It kind of makes me feel good to know someone like you who writes books and good ones can't think of a word at times. I have this problem and I hate it. Sometime I have to search for a different word meaning the same thing because I just can't think of it even though it's on the tip of my tongue.
I try to remember life is a gift.
and appreciate my time.
Memory worries me, it appears 30 minutes later what I was trying
to remember. Just hope the years
move very slowly..
The part of aging that bothers me is not being able to physically do the things I used to.
I think that I'm pretty much enjoying the age I am. I do things slower but it is in the slow lane that I'm finding more and more to appreciate every day.
Jack you are just a spring chicken. Now since 84 years I have really felt my age. Then I start wondering if at 84 should I keep on trying to get the Dr. to fix me so I can run longer or give my space here on earth to a young human being.Joe and I forget names of his favorite thing, Country Music stars names, we keep bouncing things back and forth and all of a sudden the right one comes on. ACHES AND PAINS.
First, I LOVE what Betty wrote, and totally agree!
What have I enjoyed about aging? Honestly, the first thing that popped in my mind was, "At least I've finally caught up to my legs!" ... Not long after puberty, I began developing varicose veins. Not subtle either. It's a family thing, but that didn't give me any comfort as a teen or young woman. In all seriousness? I've never looked or acted perfectly, but feel less pressure to try!
My biggest challenge? That's easy: Technology! I suspect the term, technophobe was coined to describe my thick skull! :)
I enjoyed your reflections!
Hugs from Phoenix,
Myra
hee hee...
Re the computer - you shudda bought a Mac!
Once you Mac, you won't go back! :-)
The cartoon about the thong is hilarious!
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