DON’T ACT YOUR AGE
“Would you please act your age?” Normally these words aren’t actually spoken, it is more like your inside voice in a shouting mode. Who hasn’t uttered (or even yelled) those words to an overactive youngster? Of course they had no idea what we meant, but it was better than saying sit down and shut up. Maybe parents don’t talk like that to their children anymore, but they sure did back in the day.
Now while that might have been good advice for children, it is not something I recommend for anyone reading Modern Senior Living. Let’s act anything but our age. If George Herbert Walker Bush can jump out of an airplane on his 80th birthday, the sky is really the limit.
A 67-year-old Spanish woman became the world's oldest mother after she gave birth to twins in the northern city of Barcelona. I told my wife about this and it won’t be possible in a family publication to accurately report her response. Let’s just say that she was less than enthusiastic and suggested that getting a puppy would fully tax our parenting energy.
59-year-old Michael Flynt has made the roster of the football team at Division III Sul Ross University in Alpine, Texas. Okay, now this is going way overboard in my “don’t act your age” scenario. I consider myself living on the young side just by going to a game.
Charin Yuthasastrkosol, at the age of 71 years and 203 days (Who counts days?) performed as a ballerina on stage in Albuquerque, NM, in 2002. That’s something to think about while I’m performing my morning stretching exercises, otherwise known as tying my shoes.
Bernie Barker, born July 31, 1940, was a regular performer at Club LeBare, Miami Beach, Florida. His career as a male stripper didn’t begin until he was 66 years old. All I can say is, where else but Miami Beach? Whether this is an option for any of you ladies (or any 66 year old man I’ve ever met) is not for me to say.
Abe Weintraub may be the oldest man in history to take up running. Weintraub, 90, started running just after his wife died. The Brooklyn native completed 16 New York Road Runners Club races, including the New York City Marathon, which he finished in 8 hours and ten minutes. For me walking a mile means it is time for a short nap.
So maybe none of this is for me (or you?) but as a currently
running television ad says, “Your dreams don’t retire at age 60.” So you don’t want to jump out of a perfectly
good airplane or take up a second career as an adult entertainer, there’s lots
of other good stuff to do. If you
haven’t seen this country; get going, and while you’re at it check out the
world. If you haven’t tried to write that book, now is the time.
If you haven’t learned a second language; el tiempo es ahora. I’m hoping this effort will keep my brain
reasonably active. Don’t plan, however,
on having a meaningful conversation in your new language next month.
One thing that has really kept us moving is traveling via RV. We have seen so much of the country because of the RV. If you can afford one, it is a great way to stay young and keep on the go.
Keep the grand kids for a week. Join an exercise club. Learn how to dance. Get a dog. Do volunteer work. Take your spouse on a date. Just so you know, I’m either doing or have done all of those things. Now that doesn’t make me special, just lucky.
This is a great part of our lives so let’s enjoy it to the
fullest. Or, as we say in Spanish class;
“Tenga algún hoy divertido.” Roughly
translated, “Have some fun today.”
Originally Published in Modern Senior Living
