Shocked by aging process

@gingerw My cane, which I haven’t had to use, yet (thankfully) was made by husband. It is a crooked stick, and the wood turned at an angle to make a natural handle. Reminds me of the nursery rhyme, “There was a Crooked Man . . .”. When I ever do have to use it, I will love it because it is so unique.

@riverdawn I'm sorry you find getting older something to "hate." My very wise Mom viewed her life as "chapters" and when loss of my Dad, of her health and her abilities closed a chapter, she simply started writing a new one. In her final chapter, after she could no longer travel, or even walk, she learned to watercolor. She recreated scenes she remembered from her travels. I try to adopt this philosophy as well.

Here are ways I adapt:
I try to be grateful every day for what I have, and stop worrying about what I have lost.
I work hard to keep learning.
I meet new people - this means I have to leave my "nest" and go where people are, but there is an endless amount to be learned by talking/listening to new folks. Often a simple smile and "How are you doing?" can start a conversation.
I appreciate. Creation, modern science and medicine, the stunning accomplishments of Olympic athletes, my place in the wide world.
I reach out to help others.
I accept. My limitations, help from others, that the world is changing around me.

Can you think of one thing you can do, as you age, that might help you to find happiness?

@dederickve I have a walking stick made from a Hawthorn tree with a Brass greyhound head for my hand...I love it because it was put together by a friend and the tree was in my yard...I say 'Walking Stick' because it sounds more positive than Cane(which implies unwellness)..I do need it for dizzyness and a sore knee...but I like to think of it as a "Fashion Statement" which is more fun and one feels less old...it makes people laugh and is a source of conversation.laughing is good1

Ah, yes, @fromthehill, a fashion statement! That was how I regarded my cane when I first began take it out with me in public. I knew if only I could carry it "lightly," never be seen to be "needing" it, no one would be the wiser. My first canes were Big Box Store canes: extendable, aluminum jobbies. When I finally decided to splurge on a "good cane, I invested in a dark, hardwood cane and had it topped with a silver (not real silver) wolf's head. Why a wolf's head? That's because when I was a teen I had fallen wildly for the old b&w movie, "Wolf Man," with Lon Chaney Jr. and Claude Raines. If any remember that movie, you'll recall that a silver-tipped cane, swung just so, was the surest defense against werewolves. S, I don't know, I've been carrying my wolf's head cane for about five years now and I've yet to be menaced by a werewolf. My walking is still wobby––but no werewolves! 🙂 –Ray (@ray666)

@ray666

Yes, I remember watching the wolfman at home alone on Saturday night late 10:30 to midnight. My folks played hearts with another couple switching homes every week. My brother and sister were younger than me so I got to babysit. Every year, we had a joint birthday party for three of us.: My dad, our friend, and I (1/31, 2/1, & 2/2) .

@ray666

Yes, I remember watching the wolfman at home alone on Saturday night late 10:30 to midnight. My folks played hearts with another couple switching homes every week. My brother and sister were younger than me so I got to babysit. Every year, we had a joint birthday party for three of us.: My dad, our friend, and I (1/31, 2/1, & 2/2) .

@dederickve I have a walking stick made from a Hawthorn tree with a Brass greyhound head for my hand...I love it because it was put together by a friend and the tree was in my yard...I say 'Walking Stick' because it sounds more positive than Cane(which implies unwellness)..I do need it for dizzyness and a sore knee...but I like to think of it as a "Fashion Statement" which is more fun and one feels less old...it makes people laugh and is a source of conversation.laughing is good1

@dederickve I have a walking stick made from a Hawthorn tree with a Brass greyhound head for my hand...I love it because it was put together by a friend and the tree was in my yard...I say 'Walking Stick' because it sounds more positive than Cane(which implies unwellness)..I do need it for dizzyness and a sore knee...but I like to think of it as a "Fashion Statement" which is more fun and one feels less old...it makes people laugh and is a source of conversation.laughing is good1

@dederickve I have a walking stick made from a Hawthorn tree with a Brass greyhound head for my hand...I love it because it was put together by a friend and the tree was in my yard...I say 'Walking Stick' because it sounds more positive than Cane(which implies unwellness)..I do need it for dizzyness and a sore knee...but I like to think of it as a "Fashion Statement" which is more fun and one feels less old...it makes people laugh and is a source of conversation.laughing is good1

Hello, @rollingf. Lucky you! I had to watch Wolf Man alone. 🙂 My brother, 14 years older, was too sophisticated to want to bother watching movies about werewolves and vampires. Of all the old b&w movies shown on Zacherley's Shock Theater, the Wolf Man was my far and away favorite. As a lonely teenager, I'd watch as Chaney shape-shifted into a wolf and wish if only I could shape-shift into someone or something other than the boy I was. 🙂 Memories! Have a wonderful day, @rollingf. Cheers! –Ray (@ray666)