Some ABC’s of Being 75
A:
Adult kids starting to parent ME
B.
BUYING LESS, savoring more
C:
Chair lift I put in for my elderly parents is now being used, not damned for its unsightliness
Compulsively cleaning closets – deciding what I will leave to whom
Contemplating – just contemplating – getting a PYB tattoo and a purple streak in my hair
D:
Driving – merging is beginning to scare me and the lanes seem to be getting narrower
Doctor’s visits – increasing in frequency and intensity, asking more questions and listening more intently
E.
Ears – Hearing aids!
Exercise –Walking 10,000 steps each day doable. Jumping rope without wearing Depends? Not an option anymore
Eyes – ditched the contact lenses after 60 years. Back to glasses.
F.
Fashion: Boho chick still rules my attire, though a smidgeon of Coastal Grandma inching in – https://www.countryliving.com/home-design/decorating-ideas/g39831762/coastal-grandmother/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=arb_ga_clv_ext_comm_org_us_g39831762&gclid=Cj0KCQjwpeaYBhDXARIsAEzItbEmcb2GrKE1D_8RohiNIQyvzdYZy8q0XAkbkK_RNAx2gLnTgLfoYHYaAq4NEALw_wcB
G.
Grandkids – getting taller than me
H.
Health – paying more attention
Hair – thankful I still have a bunch of it on my head. Wish it would stop growing on my chin
I.
I Phone notes – compensating for short-term memory loss
I Phone camera – Ditto. Snapping picture of row and floor in a parking garage – saving me HOURS of searching for my car
J.
Journaling – still don’t have the patience
K.
Kanopy – check this out – super cool – thank you Gloria! https://www.kanopy.com/en/
L.
Lists – realizing I will NEVER complete my to-do list and that’s okay
M.
Musings – beginning to think more about my legacy
N.
New York Times Wordle is getting easier and easier
O.
Online courses – loving my collage courses – started with a kid’s level class first! Nothing like paint pouring and cutting and pasting. It’s kindergarten for baby boomers!
P.
Playing games on my computer – hooked on www.realmahjongg.com
R.
Rear camera – my car’s favorite feature, as mobility in my neck decreases
S.
Sirius radio – allows me to still shimmer and shake in my seat to the Mamas and Papas crooning Dedicated to the One I Love https://youtu.be/4M7gKZqgHn4
on the oldies channel
Scale – whether digital or old school, realizing MOST OF THE TIME that the number on ANY scale is no reflection of my self-worth.
T.
Time – savoring it, not squandering it, on self-destructive thoughts and reflections.
W.
Wardrobe – unfortunately, like my girth, still expanding – I keep my stuff ‘cause I love my stuff and can’t seem to resist buying “just a little bit more.”
What has changed now that I’m 75?
Realizing it’s okay to publish a column without using every letter in the alphabet.
What am I thankful for now that I’m 75?
Waking up in the morning knowing there is no clocking-in on the job anymore
Waking up in the morning knowing – for the most part – I can chart my own course and move at my own pace and do what I want to do.
And, most of all, what I am thankul for now that I’m 75?
JUST WAKING UP EVERY MORNING
Keep Preserving Your Bloom and tell me how it feels to be 75,
Iris Ruth Pastor