GUEST COLUMN
It ain’t easy reaching 80 years old and beyond. Just ask someone who has reached that age and older.
Many factors go into play. They could be genes, life style, and many other things in and out of our control. On Aug. 24 I turned 80.
Some of my siblings, my parents and all of my aunts and uncles are no longer with us. I have three living first cousins.
One of the worst things you might endure, a daughter was lost due to complications of lupus. Lisa was
33. The worst thing in this ordeal was not in her anticipated death, but in watching her suffer from this debilitating disease for almost 20 years.
You will lose classmates and dear friends. There are only two boys left out of my graduating class and I am one of them. One other thing I encountered, divorce, which was a psychological downer. Some us may have had a spouse pass on, another downer.
As I look at the pictures of the 1955-56 Aycock state football and basketball teams, over half of the members are gone along with the principal, coach and managers
Some of us may be fortunate enough to have an income that lets us live somewhat comfortably. Health issues can put a considerable strain on whatever assets you have. It’s not easy for someone at this age to recover.
You began to get nasty messages from Arthur (Rhitis).
In July, 2015, I suffered an AVM (anterior venous malfunction). Basically, it means bleeding on the brain. Being in fairly good shape, I was able to return to work in three months as opposed to the regular six.
I was bitten by a tick and got Rocky Mountain tick fever. (All those years hunting and fishing throughout the woods of Texas).
In a few weeks I look forward to the cataract surgery I am scheduled for (not).
At this age, most of us are retired. Work may have been a big part of our social outlet. It’s hard not to become a couch potato.
We become sedentary, neglect good eating habits and make frequent trips to the fridge. Often forgetting why we went there, but we get something to eat anyway.
My big problem is a sweet tooth. In high school I weighed about 140 pounds. Now I am close to twice that weight.
We all long for the Golden Years, and lo and behold,
The Golden Years are here at last.
The Golden Years can kiss my … grits.
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