Growing old is very strange

[watsup]

I couldn't a good forum for this thread, but I thought that it might result in some philosophical musings, so here it is in this forum.

As I was taking my morning walk in my neighborhood the other day, I thought about the fact that I had lived in this particular area for around 25 years. And then I realized that the odds are very great that I will not live here for another 25 years since I am 79 years old. That just seemed very strange to me, a realization that myself and fellow "baby boomers" are "next" in terms of dying off in large numbers, just as our parents were 30 and 40 years ago or so. It doesn't frighten me at all, it's just strange to confront it.
In another instance, I recently planted a small tree in my backyard, and I later realized that it is no doubt a "legacy tree". In other words, I will not be around to see it as a mature and fully-grown tree, but rather that will fall to whomever purchases this house when the time comes.
Yup, boomers, we're next.

However, on another note, I am struck by how little dying is going on among, for instance, my high school class. We had our 50th reunion 10 years ago, and there were probably 40-50 of us, but only one or two has passed since then. We are all getting along in age, but hardly anyone is dying. That will probably change as we enter our 80s in the next couple of year.

 

[Argent]

I find myself weighing my age against purchases of larger ticket items and having an internal convo about whether the purchase is practical considering I might not live long enough to get my money's worth. It is a habit I'm trying to break because I think it's dumb to measure my existence against a price tag yet on the other hand recognize that it's one way that I'm coming to terms with my mortality.

I'm unafraid of being dead but I don't relish the dying. Fortunately I live in an assisted suicide state that I can take advantage of if my death is preceded by a an illness that qualifies me to use the service. When my time comes I hope I'm able to do it after throwing one helluva good-bye party.

 

[Parrish]

My granny always planted a tree or shrub in honor of her loved ones wherever she lived, as did my mother. Most are their babies . I've done the same. It's our way, and likely many others, to honor those we love and leave their mark. It says we were here. Magnolias, Dogwoods, Azaleas, Japanese maples, Camelias, Hydrangas and bulbs and more. Leaving beauty behind.

 

[medi]

I'm not sure when I started having the following thought process about the aging thing, but it has followed what I have pretty much used throughout a number of years; it is just another adventure.

Since I have had an unusual life I started thinking of each phase as just another adventure.

In my case, I never expected to make it this far.

My first awareness of "life" was the Cuban Missile Crisis and seeing the adult folks all worried. My pa was stationed at Homestead AFB and it was a rather sure thing we were bye-bye. I really do not think anyone around us thought we'd get through that one. So that was when I "grew up" --- although, I am not sure what "growing up" really means.

Then it was the Cold War and Nam and the draft, and through all that I was absolutely positive I was a 'bye-bye soon' human. I suppose it was in the earlyish 70s when there was this new unit put together by that Nixon fella and how I think we all got sort of tricked into volunteering (in a way) --- anyway, it was about then I realized that maybe I was going to actually survive for a few years longer than expected. And once we got to our new duty AO and were putting the birds together on those docks I started to view that as an adventure. And ever since it has been from one adventure to the next. And I have sure been through some mighty weird adventures. Even as recent as mid-2017 I wasn't so sure I'd survive an "adventure" but I did; much to the surprise of a number of folks, including me.

This case, though, is interesting, because I have the "C-Adventure" along with the "A-Adventure" travelling along side-by-side. So I'll get through the "C-Adventure" first --- I absolutely must assume I will survive the "C-Adventure" --- but I am beginning to believe I will not survive the "A-Adventure" because the responsibility for not dying because of age would be way too tough to handle. Can you imagine the trouble it would be to like live to maybe even 110 years of age? Folks would deep down think how really weird you are.

Plus all the youngsters on this site, in this Community, would be so angry at me if I am still here in about twenty years to keep lecturing them and giving them a hard time.

I can fully imagine the words typed might be how uncool that old fart had to go and die, BUT then they will admit to themselves that they sure are happy the old fart is gone --- good riddance!

But it is still an adventure, this aging thing. Just that it is weird how the brain forgets things. Can remember something from 50 years ago, but forget something that happened last week.

 

[Sweden]

I couldn't a good forum for this thread, but I thought that it might result in some philosophical musings, so here it is in this forum.

As I was taking my morning walk in my neighborhood the other day, I thought about the fact that I had lived in this particular area for around 25 years. And then I realized that the odds are very great that I will not live here for another 25 years since I am 79 years old. That just seemed very strange to me, a realization that myself and fellow "baby boomers" are "next" in terms of dying off in large numbers, just as our parents were 30 and 40 years ago or so. It doesn't frighten me at all, it's just strange to confront it.
In another instance, I recently planted a small tree in my backyard, and I later realized that it is no doubt a "legacy tree". In other words, I will not be around to see it as a mature and fully-grown tree, but rather that will fall to whomever purchases this house when the time comes.
Yup, boomers, we're next.

However, on another note, I am struck by how little dying is going on among, for instance, my high school class. We had our 50th reunion 10 years ago, and there were probably 40-50 of us, but only one or two has passed since then. We are all getting along in age, but hardly anyone is dying. That will probably change as we enter our 80s in the next couple of year.

I'm 10 years older than you and find myself living in a world I don't much like. Increasingly aggressive, ill-mannered and stupid. The aged are often said to suffer from nostalgia but here and now there s a strong case I think for saying that the past really was better.

 

[Queen Margo]

I couldn't a good forum for this thread, but I thought that it might result in some philosophical musings, so here it is in this forum.

As I was taking my morning walk in my neighborhood the other day, I thought about the fact that I had lived in this particular area for around 25 years. And then I realized that the odds are very great that I will not live here for another 25 years since I am 79 years old. That just seemed very strange to me, a realization that myself and fellow "baby boomers" are "next" in terms of dying off in large numbers, just as our parents were 30 and 40 years ago or so. It doesn't frighten me at all, it's just strange to confront it.
In another instance, I recently planted a small tree in my backyard, and I later realized that it is no doubt a "legacy tree". In other words, I will not be around to see it as a mature and fully-grown tree, but rather that will fall to whomever purchases this house when the time comes.
Yup, boomers, we're next.

However, on another note, I am struck by how little dying is going on among, for instance, my high school class. We had our 50th reunion 10 years ago, and there were probably 40-50 of us, but only one or two has passed since then. We are all getting along in age, but hardly anyone is dying. That will probably change as we enter our 80s in the next couple of year.

I enjoy reading these types of things and learning peoples ages on here. Funny, we get older and YELL at each other on the internet the cycle of life

 

[gbg3]

Interesting comments.

I'm a little younger than some posting so far but I'm sure negotiating this phase too.

I've been a very hard core planner for much of my life - maintaining a strict household budget with "buckets" for upcoming expenses, like college fund buckets for our children, next car buckets (so we could pay cash when that time came), extra principal buckets when we had home loans, vacation fund buckets, etc. I religiously did that with all the big expenses. I've reached a point where all that worked out, so now I don't need to be a planner anymore. That's been something which has really made me recognize I'm in the latter stage of life and, oddly, it's bothering me lately. Kind of like it can be really exciting to anticipate Xmas but then on Xmas afternoon, the event you worked so hard to prepare for is almost over and you have to mentally regroup to the next season.

 

[medi]

I'm 10 years older than you and find myself living in a world I don't much like. Increasingly aggressive, ill-mannered and stupid. The aged are often said to suffer from nostalgia but here and now there s a strong case I think for saying that the past really was better.

This is quite thought provoking.

I think, from a safety point of view (and that was my professional work for many years and in different environs) --- I think many things are safer. Those automobiles are sure safer than way back. I don't think our '55 Chevy even had seat belts, but might be wrong. Sure no shoulder aircraft style belt. Aircraft are certainly safer, another field I was in for many years. I think many home appliances are safer.

BUT, and this is where I get in trouble, I think humans are getting sort of softer and maybe even less caring about others, especially strangers. In the Orient we see this even more so than maybe over there in North America, but not sure about Europe.

See, for so many years here in Asia there was this sort of auto-attitude that elderly were deserving of auto-respect. And auto-kindness. And even when I was much younger I thought there was something good about that.

But in the last decade or two it seems that attitude is shifting to a not-so-good style and I am not quite sure what's going on with that. It might simply be that the older population is growing in percentage overall and that younger folks are simply burned out with all that auto-respect they were taught when younger. Maybe too many of us older types. I'm a bit luckier because I don't yet actually look my age and so when I have to deal with other government types or some professionals, like at the hospital, my age freaks them out and I get a weird sort of respect. And out in public, being an older gaijin (foreigner) I seem to get an odd auto-respect and when I use the language with pronunciation of the older generations it creates a surprise style and even more of a respect situation. BUT it was so interesting when one of my employees told me that I actually make both Japanese and foreigners nervous because I am always looking at detail too much, like a policeman. She said that makes people nervous, but they try not to show it. I was kind of surprised about that.

But to get back on target, I think it is that change in human interaction that is not as comforting as it was maybe 10 to 20 years ago. Maybe further back. The machines and stuff make life better, but maybe the humans are spoiled by too much safety. They are not as careful. And certainly don't seem as friendly. But that is Asia and far from most of you, so you'd have to teach me about my own country, as I've been gone too long. And working with the defense and embassy folks on overseas assignment isn't like mixing with "normal" civilians; as strange as those words may read.

 

[Daisy]

Raise of hands of who can relate...

 

[watsup]

This is quite thought provoking.

I think, from a safety point of view (and that was my professional work for many years and in different environs) --- I think many things are safer. Those automobiles are sure safer than way back. I don't think our '55 Chevy even had seat belts, but might be wrong. Sure no shoulder aircraft style belt. Aircraft are certainly safer, another field I was in for many years. I think many home appliances are safer.

BUT, and this is where I get in trouble, I think humans are getting sort of softer and maybe even less caring about others, especially strangers. In the Orient we see this even more so than maybe over there in North America, but not sure about Europe.

See, for so many years here in Asia there was this sort of auto-attitude that elderly were deserving of auto-respect. And auto-kindness. And even when I was much younger I thought there was something good about that.

But in the last decade or two it seems that attitude is shifting to a not-so-good style and I am not quite sure what's going on with that. It might simply be that the older population is growing in percentage overall and that younger folks are simply burned out with all that auto-respect they were taught when younger. Maybe too many of us older types. I'm a bit luckier because I don't yet actually look my age and so when I have to deal with other government types or some professionals, like at the hospital, my age freaks them out and I get a weird sort of respect. And out in public, being an older gaijin (foreigner) I seem to get an odd auto-respect and when I use the language with pronunciation of the older generations it creates a surprise style and even more of a respect situation. BUT it was so interesting when one of my employees told me that I actually make both Japanese and foreigners nervous because I am always looking at detail too much, like a policeman. She said that makes people nervous, but they try not to show it. I was kind of surprised about that.

But to get back on target, I think it is that change in human interaction that is not as comforting as it was maybe 10 to 20 years ago. Maybe further back. The machines and stuff make life better, but maybe the humans are spoiled by too much safety. They are not as careful. And certainly don't seem as friendly. But that is Asia and far from most of you, so you'd have to teach me about my own country, as I've been gone too long. And working with the defense and embassy folks on overseas assignment isn't like mixing with "normal" civilians; as strange as those words may read.

I don’t have to teach you about your own country. One word covers it all, and you already know that word and how it is affecting “defense and embassy folks”, and that word is: Trump.
A side story: I had a friend who worked for a few decades in the State Dept. One of his assignments, in the 90s, was to be part of the team that spent time in North Korea during the Clinton administration. That must have been an eye-opening experience!

 

[MAGAnificent]

I enjoy reading these types of things and learning peoples ages on here. Funny, we get older and YELL at each other on the internet the cycle of life

All the talk about 79 and 189 years older is making me feel young at 71.

 

[Demon]

I find myself weighing my age against purchases of larger ticket items and having an internal convo about whether the purchase is practical considering I might not live long enough to get my money's worth. It is a habit I'm trying to break because I think it's dumb to measure my existence against a price tag yet on the other hand recognize that it's one way that I'm coming to terms with my mortality.

I'm unafraid of being dead but I don't relish the dying. Fortunately I live in an assisted suicide state that I can take advantage of if my death is preceded by a an illness that qualifies me to use the service. When my time comes I hope I'm able to do it after throwing one helluva good-bye party.

I'm glad to live in an assisted suicide state too. I just wish it went further - like a year out, and to cover things that are miserable for a person but it won't kill them in 6 months.

 

[Kelby]

It's funny that in my dotage I'm more compelled to plant things and look after living things around me.

 

[medi]

I don’t have to teach you about your own country. One word covers it all, and you already know that word and how it is affecting “defense and embassy folks”, and that word is: Trump.
A side story: I had a friend who worked for a few decades in the State Dept. One of his assignments, in the 90s, was to be part of the team that spent time in North Korea during the Clinton administration. That must have been an eye-opening experience!

Frankly, I am not at all clear how the question of seat belts and associated safety of same is a link to President Trump, but I'll chew on that later at lunch.

In the meantime, as you reminded me about this post, I went to Professor GS and found this:

Nash Motors is often credited with being the first American company to offer seatbelts when they were introduced as an option in 1948 for the 1949 model year. The California Highway Patrol began outfitting its cars with seatbelts in late 1952. Ford under Robert McNamara added its own seatbelts in 1955.

As for the folks in the DPRK, that is a matter that requires its own thread, if anyone wishes to dig into that. The average citizen in the DPRK is getting shafted in ways that few realize, or even care about.

Let's get back to how much we enjoy being "old" and that reference up there to Robert McNamara is a good example, as I had forgotten that was where he was before he was given that job he is so well known for; which I think was President Kennedy's idea.

I'd be interested in what folks have to offer about what eats are best when we are old? I have to confess to not being a big fan of such like hospital food. I remember back when I had to do that 6-7 month 'prison' term in the hospital I had some very interesting thoughts about that food they presented to us. Very fortunate for us inmates, the management there allowed us access to a 7-11 in the other hospital admin building and I was a big customer.

But since that time I bet my diet has been what could make Doc Abe throw me back into 'prison' as I am not at all careful about what I eat. In fact, I was very surprised when during one study I found out that dried vegetables are very good for a person. That immediately increased my purchase of same. When I am staying at the other house I am fed some proper meals by the Boss, which the public calls a "wife" but she is actually the Boss. Of course, I tend to be lavish with the purchase of sashimi stuff, which she likes; but breakfast is when the Boss hits me with all that "This is the right food." lectures and stuff.

I can't eat kimchi dishes anymore. In fact, spice type dishes are pretty much gone from my meals.

Anyway, what do you folks that are categorized as "old" do for food? Anything special? Oh yes, I just remembered that I have a weird medicine I have to take once a week that requires I stay seated or standing (upright) for at least 30 minutes after taking the medicine. That is a tad weird, isn't it?

 

[watsup]

Frankly, I am not at all clear how the question of seat belts and associated safety of same is a link to President Trump, but I'll chew on that later at lunch.

In the meantime, as you reminded me about this post, I went to Professor GS and found this:



As for the folks in the DPRK, that is a matter that requires its own thread, if anyone wishes to dig into that. The average citizen in the DPRK is getting shafted in ways that few realize, or even care about.

Let's get back to how much we enjoy being "old" and that reference up there to Robert McNamara is a good example, as I had forgotten that was where he was before he was given that job he is so well known for; which I think was President Kennedy's idea.

I'd be interested in what folks have to offer about what eats are best when we are old? I have to confess to not being a big fan of such like hospital food. I remember back when I had to do that 6-7 month 'prison' term in the hospital I had some very interesting thoughts about that food they presented to us. Very fortunate for us inmates, the management there allowed us access to a 7-11 in the other hospital admin building and I was a big customer.

But since that time I bet my diet has been what could make Doc Abe throw me back into 'prison' as I am not at all careful about what I eat. In fact, I was very surprised when during one study I found out that dried vegetables are very good for a person. That immediately increased my purchase of same. When I am staying at the other house I am fed some proper meals by the Boss, which the public calls a "wife" but she is actually the Boss. Of course, I tend to be lavish with the purchase of sashimi stuff, which she likes; but breakfast is when the Boss hits me with all that "This is the right food." lectures and stuff.

I can't eat kimchi dishes anymore. In fact, spice type dishes are pretty much gone from my meals.

Anyway, what do you folks that are categorized as "old" do for food? Anything special? Oh yes, I just remembered that I have a weird medicine I have to take once a week that requires I stay seated or standing (upright) for at least 30 minutes after taking the medicine. That is a tad weird, isn't it?

Interesting

 

[medi]

I'm glad to live in an assisted suicide state too. I just wish it went further - like a year out, and to cover things that are miserable for a person but it won't kill them in 6 months.

This is scary! I may not know you, but I sure hope your situation isn't to a point where that self-kill idea is taking hold in your thought processes. I actually have significant pain troubles, but I am beginning to realize that all my years in sports has been of some help in not being quite so quick to take the pain medicine the doc gives me. Plus I think this special pain medicine we are allowed to take home isn't allowed in the U.S., but I could be wrong. Let me get the name ... this stuff is called TOARASET Combination and then there is a tag in corner brackets 'Me' and this has some sort of special ... well, let me go to Professor GS:

Active ingredient:Tramadol hydrochlorideAcetaminophenDosage formale yellow tablet, major axis: 15.2 mm, minor axis: 6.4 mm, thickness: 5.1mmImprint or print on wrapping Face)トアラセット配合錠「オーハラ」, トラマドール塩酸塩 37.5 mg, アセトアミノフェン 325 mg(Back)TOARASET Combination Tab.「OHARA」

And this should be added, I guess:

Is tramadol opium-based?
Tramadol is a centrally acting synthetic opioid analgesic and SNRI (serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake-inhibitor) that is structurally related to codeine and morphine.

Seems like you folks can't get this one, though. Still, maybe there is some really good pain killing stuff that can cut short that self-kill idea. Of course, there are other factors involved besides pain, right?

Still, your post scares me.

 

[Serenity]

I just want to say while I have the opportunity, that through good times and bad, DP and the people here, have been my one constant in life. I joined in 2010 and was in my twenties. I thought I could save the world. Didn't I get a rude shock.

I've met some wonderful people, and there are very few that I have not been able to find some common ground with over the years.

No matter what happens, thank you for sharing your lives and stories with me.

 

[Sweden]

Frankly, I am not at all clear how the question of seat belts and associated safety of same is a link to President Trump, but I'll chew on that later at lunch.

In the meantime, as you reminded me about this post, I went to Professor GS and found this:



As for the folks in the DPRK, that is a matter that requires its own thread, if anyone wishes to dig into that. The average citizen in the DPRK is getting shafted in ways that few realize, or even care about.

Let's get back to how much we enjoy being "old" and that reference up there to Robert McNamara is a good example, as I had forgotten that was where he was before he was given that job he is so well known for; which I think was President Kennedy's idea.

I'd be interested in what folks have to offer about what eats are best when we are old? I have to confess to not being a big fan of such like hospital food. I remember back when I had to do that 6-7 month 'prison' term in the hospital I had some very interesting thoughts about that food they presented to us. Very fortunate for us inmates, the management there allowed us access to a 7-11 in the other hospital admin building and I was a big customer.

But since that time I bet my diet has been what could make Doc Abe throw me back into 'prison' as I am not at all careful about what I eat. In fact, I was very surprised when during one study I found out that dried vegetables are very good for a person. That immediately increased my purchase of same. When I am staying at the other house I am fed some proper meals by the Boss, which the public calls a "wife" but she is actually the Boss. Of course, I tend to be lavish with the purchase of sashimi stuff, which she likes; but breakfast is when the Boss hits me with all that "This is the right food." lectures and stuff.

I can't eat kimchi dishes anymore. In fact, spice type dishes are pretty much gone from my meals.

Anyway, what do you folks that are categorized as "old" do for food? Anything special? Oh yes, I just remembered that I have a weird medicine I have to take once a week that requires I stay seated or standing (upright) for at least 30 minutes after taking the medicine. That is a tad weird, isn't it?

My wife and I - both late 80s - find our sense of taste changed. She now enjoys snacks of raw cabbage, and mostly dislikes anything sweet. I am addicted to apple juice mixed with fizzy water.

 

[medi]

I just want to say while I have the opportunity, that through good times and bad, DP and the people here, have been my one constant in life. I joined in 2010 and was in my twenties. I thought I could save the world. Didn't I get a rude shock.

I've met some wonderful people, and there are very few that I have not been able to find some common ground with over the years.

No matter what happens, thank you for sharing your lives and stories with me.

Do not give up the hope of saving a planet, a country, or just a single human life. Hopefully the chance will not arise, BUT if it does, you best hope you still have that spirit you had back in 2010. I'd bet you do still have that spirit.

Sweden, I still like apple juice a whole bunch. That 100% stuff. But I have always had one big trouble; I have to sip it slowly and not much quantity each time. See I have this thing somebody named 'stomach' and IT does not like apple juice and reminds me of that every time I forget how mean Mr. Stomach can be. Well, it might be those tube things I understand are connected to Mr. Stomach, but the only communication from any of that club is some weird growling language that I still don't understand.

Come to think of it, do I remember correctly that there is some sort of alcoholic beverage made from apples? Maybe Boone's Farm apple wine. Good gosh this thread causes bursts of memory. Haven't thought about an apple wine in so many, many years.

Do you folks have many (any) apple orchards in Sweden?

 

[Demon]

This is scary! I may not know you, but I sure hope your situation isn't to a point where that self-kill idea is taking hold in your thought processes. I actually have significant pain troubles, but I am beginning to realize that all my years in sports has been of some help in not being quite so quick to take the pain medicine the doc gives me. Plus I think this special pain medicine we are allowed to take home isn't allowed in the U.S., but I could be wrong. Let me get the name ... this stuff is called TOARASET Combination and then there is a tag in corner brackets 'Me' and this has some sort of special ... well, let me go to Professor GS:



And this should be added, I guess:



Seems like you folks can't get this one, though. Still, maybe there is some really good pain killing stuff that can cut short that self-kill idea. Of course, there are other factors involved besides pain, right?

Still, your post scares me.

Oh no, my situation is fine at the moment, as far as I know, other than mild neuropathy. I just know that should I get some terminal disease, I don't want to lie in the hospital for days under morphine, or what ever they're using now. I watched my sister in law die like that, and I don't want it. I don't think assisted suicide is scary, I think it would be much easier than a death like my sister in law - a death like hers is scary to me. I just looked up Toaraset, and it looks like it may only be available in Japan?

 

[OlNate]

I'm 10 years older than you and find myself living in a world I don't much like. Increasingly aggressive, ill-mannered and stupid. The aged are often said to suffer from nostalgia but here and now there s a strong case I think for saying that the past really was better.

After a lot of careful reflection and remembering the old generation saying the same things about they're "good old days", I've come to believe that the only thing "better" about the "good old days" was our youth, which is a very powerful lens to look back at the past through that makes everything else seem "better".

But, yes, it was nice being young. I'm sure the kids of these new generations will say exactly the same thing one day.

 

[anatta]

I just turned 70 this one is poignant

Old friends, old friends
Sat on their park bench like bookends
A newspaper blown through the grass
Falls on the round toes
Of the high shoes of the old friends

Old friends, winter companions, the old men
Lost in their overcoats, waiting for the sunset
The sounds of the city sifting through trees
Settle like dust on the shoulders of the old friends

Can you imagine us years from today
Sharing a park bench quietly?
How terribly strange to be 70

Old friends, memory brushes the same years
Silently sharing the same fears

 

[Rexedgar]

Nothing strange to me about aging. I define it as decomposing above ground.

 

[anatta]

my arthritis was just in my knee -now it's in my foot as well.. damnable stuff

 

[anatta]

This is scary! I may not know you, but I sure hope your situation isn't to a point where that self-kill idea is taking hold in your thought processes. I actually have significant pain troubles, but I am beginning to realize that all my years in sports has been of some help in not being quite so quick to take the pain medicine the doc gives me. Plus I think this special pain medicine we are allowed to take home isn't allowed in the U.S., but I could be wrong. Let me get the name ... this stuff is called TOARASET Combination and then there is a tag in corner brackets 'Me' and this has some sort of special ... well, let me go to Professor GS:



And this should be added, I guess:



Seems like you folks can't get this one, though. Still, maybe there is some really good pain killing stuff that can cut short that self-kill idea. Of course, there are other factors involved besides pain, right?

Still, your post scares me.

Tramadol Hydrochloride + Acetaminophen = Toraset... moderate pain.. a Schedule 3..
Dont do much for my arthritis, but anything helps