Growing old

I have a sticker posted next to my desk at work that says, “I thought growing old would take longer.”

Sure, it takes the same amount of time for everyone, but when it happens to you, it’s hard not to wonder where the time went. It might be the best example of “how time flies.”

Not too long ago, a man came into the Houston Herald office to renew his subscription that he has maintained for 75 years. Yes, 75. He and his late wife subscribed in 1950, and I think it’s safe to say that’s well before most people reading this were born.

I was greatly impressed by how healthy he looked and sounded, even though he was 94 years old. When he left, it was time to say, “I hope I’m doing that well if I’m ever that old.”

I turned 65 last year, which means – as I like to say – I became “officially old.” That of course refers to the fact that some representatives of the U.S. federal government will now do things for me that they wouldn’t before, because I wasn’t old enough. I also like to joke about how it’s like a game show with the host declaring, “congratulations, you’ve reached the point in our competition that qualifies you for the prize you’ve been working toward for a long time!”

While that’s true, making it to the 94 mark is still pretty far down the road, and who knows if I’ll get there before taking the permanent off ramp.

Right now, I can’t imagine what 94 might be like, because I already deal with so many physical issues that weren’t issues at all when I was younger.

Just a heads-up: If you’re in your 20s or still near 30, your time is coming. It’s not avoidable. It’s how God designed things.

The same man stopped by the office again recently when I wasn’t there, and he dropped off a copy of the Houston Senior Center’s monthly newsletter, “The Geezers’ Gazette.” In it was a poem the man had penned called, “You ask how I’m doing, thank God I’m not sick.” Throughout the fairly short (but extremely poignant) piece was a recurring line from the title: “Thank God I’m not sick.”

There was mention of several traits shared by old folks, like wrinkled and spotted skin, falling asleep in front of the TV, failing memory, graying hair and dimming vision. But none of it meant he was “sick,” but rather just experiencing aspects of aging. I can so relate.

And you don’t have to try to take steps backward, so to speak, it just happens. And you can try all manner of things to adjust, enhance and improve, but it still happens. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not of the mind that doing those things is a bad idea or a waste of time, it’s just that I recognize the reality of aging: It comes with a certain set of tendencies and characteristics.

Just ask Ponce de Leon and Benjamin Button, there ain’t no Fountain of Youth and there’s no way to “turn back the clock.”

There is, however, the opportunity to accept the situation and be thankful that you have witnessed many thousands of days and be glad when another arrives.

Anyway, I’m reminded of how the Bible tells us that we can’t live a moment longer (or shorter) than our appointed days on Earth. (Job 14:5, Matthew 6:27 and other verses). 

I’m also reminded of the old saying, “Father Time is undefeated.”

Roger that. But at least we get to play.

Doug Davison is a writer, photographer and newsroom assistant for the Houston Herald. Email: ddavison@houstonherald.com.