[Paul]

I trained in gerontology and am a 53 yr. old man who is in the ‘sandwich’ generation between my 20 something sons and my parents in their late 70’s. I have a ringside seat to the reality of aging. As we age–after a certain point–we begin to experience many things that are ‘losses’. When we retire we no longer have the status we once did. Our bodies begin to fall apart–slowly or quickly. We are no longer considered beautiful or handsome by society. Friends and spouses begin to age and die. We may have diminished incomes. If you approach old age with a different point of view than just tallying up your losses I believe you need not experience the bitterness you saw. Life is still an adventure. But when you become idle and retire from life instead of just a job it is easy for depression to set in. It can become a downward spiral that makes people bitter with loss, pain and loneliness. They often lash out at the only people they feel are more vulnerable than themselves. People who yearn for a ‘better’ time in the past are also at risk–nothing is as good as it used to be. Change is just another obstacle to be dealt with. Perhaps it is true you can learn from even a bad teacher. Your experience may help you not become like the crabby woman you met. Aging is a fact of life and you won’t always be 22. 53 is still pretty good, but I miss my hair and my waistline, but not much! Your question is the beginning of learning.

User Detail :  

Name : Paul, Gender : M, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Disability : diabetes, migraines, spinal deterioration, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Quaker, Age : 53, City : Normal, State : IL, Country : United States, Occupation : university placement counselor, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class,