I must be totally candid; I’m not handling the aging process gracefully, as you know. I’m not quite sure why. However, I believe it first started about the time I turned 60 and made the mistake of looking into a clean mirror with my glasses on (I highly recommend against this practice).
Who in the heck is that I thought? I quickly removed the specs, dimmed the light and viewed a much younger, better-looking bloke. Since that fateful day I’ve learned numerous life lessons on aging—alas, most are disheartening and demoralizing.
Since we’re on this delicate subject, here’s another aspect of growing older that bugs me—when people discover I’m 66 and they respond, “You look great for your age.” Next time someone drops that ditty on me my response will be, “you don’t!”
Is that too cruel?
I’ve heard all of the clever clichés and witty euphemisms about aging and frankly they make me feel worse! You’ve heard them also. “You’re only as old as you feel.” Great, I feel 85, thanks! “Life begins at 40.” I actually kinda like that one because that makes me 26.” Today is the first day of the rest of your life.” Wow, how profound! What does that even mean?
Knowing there had to be some better aphorisms that actually brightened my mood, I began my quest. My exhaustive research and tenacity has paid off. Here are 15 of the finest quotes on aging I discovered that give me some optimism and hope. A few even put a wry smile on my maturing face.
Age is a question of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter. ~Leroy “Satchel” Paige
Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional. ~Chili Davis
There is no pleasure worth forgoing just for an extra three years in the geriatric ward. ~John Mortimer
Old age isn’t so bad when you consider the alternative. ~Maurice Chevalier.
A Man is not old until regrets take the place of dreams. ~John Barrymore.
How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you were? ~Satchel Paige.
Forty is the old age of youth; fifty the youth of old age. ~Victor Hugo.
I still have a full deck; I just shuffle slower now. ~Author Unknown.
The key to successful aging is to pay as little attention to it as possible. ~Judith Regan.
Old age is fifteen years older than I am. ~Oliver Wendell Holmes
I advise you to go on living solely to enrage those who are paying your annuities. It is the only pleasure I have left. ~Voltaire.
There is still no cure for the common birthday. ~John Glenn.
It’s important to have a twinkle in your wrinkle. ~Author Unknown.
First you forget names, then you forget faces, then you forget to pull your zipper up, then you forget to pull your zipper down. ~Leo Rosenberg.
Don’t worry about avoiding temptation – as you grow older, it starts avoiding you.~Author Unknown.
I believe I’m feeling much better now. Think I’ll go cash my Social Security check and head down to Pala Casino in Temecula for a little slot machine action. Truthfully, it’s stimulating and invigorating to visit a place (most casinos) where almost everybody else is over 70!
