That Elusive Happy Medium

...and I don’t mean a hard to find, but pleased, fortune teller

Most of my life has been pretty busy—raising a family, personal and family activities, and work; often two or more jobs at a time. I never really thought about it, but there wasn’t too much time to sit around and relax or ponder or even feel sorry for myself. It must have worked because all in all I’m pretty healthy and happy (It seems I missed out on the wealthy and wise part of the equation).

Retirement changed that pattern. There have been the super busy times—like building and remodeling this past year—and a few times when we just sat around and read or napped. Doing nothing for too long turns out to be really boring. And that seems to be a common thread among some retirees. Doing too much for too long turns out to be really tiring. And getting tired is easier as I get older.

Right now there are too few relaxing times but that should change in a month or two when we head to Arizona for a few weeks of R and R without much of anything to do and we can head home when it gets boring.

Right now there’s building and finishing a book and always something that should have been done yesterday. But I’m trying to look at life one day at a time and that seems to be a good mantra and helps keep the stress level down.

My goal over the next year or so is to find a balance of activity and relaxation that seems to work. Maybe I’ll call it the Geriatric Goldilocks Syndrome—not too much; not too little; but jusssst right. How hard could it be?

axman

One Year at a Time

Youth is fleeting; old is forever. Maybe it’s better not to know what all is going on in my body‑‑and how much and how fast...

As another birthday rolls by (this is number 71) Life is good. Although I feel OK now, when I look back there have been quite a few changes in a mere eight short, short years since I was diagnosed with prostate cancer (the years really have seemed short).

·       I ran my last marathon in 2005 and now have difficulty running even two or three miles. Knee surgery had a hand (or knee) in that. I haven’t given up completely on running, however. But I also jumped out of an airplane for the first time (and the last time so far) on my birthday that same year. ...almost balances out, doesn’t it?

·       I retired in 2007 and started slowing down a little in how much I can get done—I still get things done, but it takes longer. I’ve been able to write (finishing my second book since retirement—but I’ve cleverly managed to avoid making any money at it) and putter around the house and a nap every few days helps. We’ve done some major remodeling but with a lot of younger, smarter hired help.

·       Take my bladder, please! It was normal and healthy in 2003 but surgery, radiation, and hormone therapy have reduced its efficiency and predictability a bit. If you happen to have an extra one...

·       All those same events and meds have also waged war on my testosterone level (keeping it low is necessary to keep me alive, of course) as well. Oh, well.

·       I need more sleep, stronger glasses, and more time in the hot tub to ease the old joints.

I’m sure the aging process itself is to blame for some or even most of this. Most of my friends have experienced at least some of these events.

Adapt, adjust, suck it up, and carry on. There are still unfulfilled entries on my Bucket List but the list of things I have done already is a lot longer. I wouldn’t trade my life for anybody’s. I’ve been blessed with a great family, good friends, time to do most of the things I want to do, and occasionally a bottle of really good wine.

axman

Lost Another Friend to Prostate Cancer

We first met when we lived in Canada in the 1970s and our families have been friends for the past 40 years. Dennis was, at various times, my neighbor, my student, my building contractor, and my colleague (he became a psychologist). He was active, smart, ambitious, and musically talented (he played in a rock band in his 60s). He had a knack for helping others—whether building their house or counseling their marital problems.

He was diagnosed only four years ago but the cancer was already advanced. He received multiple treatments to slow the tumor growth but nothing was very successful. His church and family ties helped keep him strong and positive.

No matter what progress you hear about in cancer treatment, it all boils down to the individual person. I can only hope that somebody somewhere finds a way to slow down prostate cancer (or even cure it) before I lose more friends.

axman