How do we age? How did I get here? This last week, a phrase haunted me, “Age crept up on me.” I turned 67 years old this summer—not old in today’s world, but. . .. So, naturally, I wrote a poem.

As I look back over my life, I remember my mom and dad in their late 60s, and I was in my 40s and 50s when they were my current age. They were active and full of life but appeared much older than I feel today—interesting.
Going back another generation to my grandparents when they were in their 60s, they seemed ancient. So, it’s all perspective, I guess.
I do know today, I have arthritic aches and pains and troubles with my stomach, but I don’t feel 67. So that begs to ask, what does 67 feel like?
I’ve seen 6 decades plus come and go—a multitude of advances. The TV was just coming in when I was a child, so I’ve always had a TV. We didn’t get a phone in our home until I was about ten years old, so I’ve had some sort of phone for most of my life. I touched my first computer in 1981 when I was a student at Colorado State University and have had access to one ever since—39 years!
And that phrase, “Age crept up on me” caused me lots of wandering through my life.

Here’s my poem that came out of this week’s musings:
Age Crept Up on Me! August 12, 2020 Only yesterday, I was 16 It seems You may laugh My age shows In wrinkles Years lived Dyed red hair to hide the grey With white Escaping near my eyes Something happened! An acceleration Of time Of minutes Of years Recently Is it a side effect of the coronavirus? Too much time on my hands? Pondering my existence In uncertain times? I remember 18 High school graduation Four students in my graduating class Started kindergarten together Trinidad State Junior College Fifty miles from home Anxious about my future And how my dreams Would play out I remember 20 Newly married With life and dreams Spread out before me. Hopeful and positive I remember 30 Divorced and devastated At the university as a student And Starting over With dreams of being a teacher I remember 40 In sexual trauma treatment For incest Uncovering and recovering from Childhood pain And dashed dreams I remember 50 Celebrated at The National Square Dance Convention In Oklahoma City Serenaded at our After Party by Jerry Junck Mike Hogan Lanny Weaklend Still dreaming About possibilities I remember 60 Mom had just died A feeble celebration in Branson With Bub, Lin and Jackie My dreams diminished by the pain The loss Yes, you see I’m not 16 But 67! I look in the mirror And recently Somehow Age crept up on me In that reflection I see years Life Experiences Received no warning, No alarm, I see an older woman, A matured lady, A seasoned Larada Where did the years go? Fast living A rich life A multitude of adventures Yes, age crept up! Quickly Relentlessly Quietly Without warning So be aware It can and will Happen to you!

My hope and prayer is that I continue to age gracefully and with spunk! I hope to redefine any concepts you may have about older adults.
What are you thoughts on aging? Has it crept up on you, too? How do you handle it?

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