The "On Growing Old: The 70s" Story

It was an ordinary day.  And, you may misconstrue my title to be something other than what I had intended.   My intent is to tell you what you may expect as you travel along the path of life and come upon your seventies.  I am just about half-way through and I wish I had had some help navigating the first-half, so maybe my experience will be of help to you.  My first bit of wisdom is to make sure you include your family, whether it be big or small, in your life.  At times it does get tough when they live miles away, but your cell phone can correct that.  Physical meetings are always nice, but talking to family members are just as important, even though you may not be in the same location as them.  Same goes for friends!  Calls and visits are always a good way to stay in touch.  It has been almost 20 years since I retired from teaching, but I still stay in contact with many of my friends from Manheim Township School District.  I still enjoy getting up in the morning and having something I need to do that day.  I still work a few part-time jobs that fill my weekdays, but I do try to keep my weekends for myself and wife.  My next bit of advice is to make sure you stay up to date with all your medical tests.  I make sure I see my dentist at least once a year.  Many times it is just a good cleaning I need while other times he may find a crack in an old tooth that needs repair.  Then there are the trips to the urologist, dermatologist, optometrist, gastroenterologist and even the family doctor.  We all have problems with our skin as we age and its best to have it checked on a regular basis.  Many of us also have trouble with the plumbing so that's another trip to the doctors.  I had worn glasses since I was 12 years old, but recently had a cataract repaired and now no longer need glasses.  But, I still see my eye doctor on a yearly basis to make sure my eyesight is still OK.  Many of my friends are struggling with their eyesight.  By your 70s you need to make yearly or even bi-yearly visits to your eye doctor to try and help keep your eyesight in good health.  And, please don't forget to have a colonoscopy.  I had one this last year and the doctor found colon cancer which was removed.  I kept putting it off and off and finally decided I didn't want to die from colon cancer.  You can't imagine how glad I was when I had two more tests and was told I was cancer free.  In Lancaster, Pennsylvania the largest employer in the county is Lancaster General/Penn Health.  We have a very large delegation of seniors in Lancaster, and they always seem to be making a visit to the doctor or hospital.  At one time I had a full head of dark hair, but that went down the road close to 25 years ago.  One day my son came to borrow my hair trimmers and I walked out on the back deck with him and told him to cut all my hair off.  His eyes were bigger than I can ever remember.  We both shaved our heads that day.  What a way to bond.  So, is hair important to me...nah!  I realize I may be in the minority here, but it sure is easier to comb.  As far as hair color, I know many just can't take the fact that they are aging and will pay to keep color in their hair.  That's OK with me, but I don't have too many friends that don't have gray hair by now.  For me, my biggest problem with being in my 70s is that I don't remember I'm in my 70s...until it is too late.  I still climb the ladder, use the guillotine paper cutter in my garage, mow my grass, make repairs to the house, etc.  Some days I need a few pills to get me through it, but I don't want to admit I am too old for some things.  When I coached baseball for nearly 20 years I would throw an hour of batting practice a few times a week.  A few weeks ago I picked up a baseball that had been hit to me at my grandson's ball game and realized there was no way I could throw the thing back...overhand.  So, my better judgment told me to throw it underhand.  Felt like a sissy, but my arm was fine.  My final offering for those in their 70s is try and stay busy maybe with visits to your family or friends or to a museum or movie.  Loneliness can be a killer I have seen.  My blog, which is almost 9 years old now, has been a constant help in keeping me busy and exploring.  My wife and I are lucky to still be traveling and I won't give that up until I absolutely have to.  Our travels with friends is priceless and our lonely strolls along the beaches of the world are irreplaceable.  My wife is my partner in marriage, supporter in my medical travails and my true hero in life.  She has made my 70s fun and entertaining.  Hopefully I have done likewise for her.  One more thing I have to offer:  try a pet if you don't have one.  I have lived my entire life with pets.  Anything from guinea pigs to snakes to hamsters to cats and dogs.  They are a great companion and take very little care.  Our two strays we now have keep us laughing as well as thankful that we have saved the lives of two helpless kittens a few months ago.  Life will go on, but will you?  Stay healthy, both physically and mentally, and you will enjoy life to its fullest.  I sure am!  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.