Getting older

I'm only 68 so I don't yet know what being old is like, but my hips, knees and ankles keep implying they've aged a lot quicker than the rest of me. Especially when trying to get downstairs first thing in the mornings. And my skin is getting decidedly saggy - especially on my hands. And my memory is going AWOL more and more often. But I certainly don't feel Old. I tried to run after a ball the other day and was surprised when found I couldn't. My body is aging before me.

Now off to find your film Seesidesu.

My Aunt has just had a 2 week trial in a nursing home. She discharged herself on Monday deciding it was not for her. She said that after seeing 'all the other poor souls' mostly in their 80's, in the home that she felt grateful to be so relatively healthy and, unlike most of them, in possession of her faculties and that she would see out her days in her own home. She will be 101 in August. She has outlived all her friends and family of her generation and would prefer not to be here any more. That said, she is a whizz at Scrabble and polishes off the Telegraph crossword each morning and just gets on with it....
We are all different and we should cherish what we have and live in the now. I had hoped to live out the rest of my life with my DH but I lost him to a massive heart attack 4 years ago when I was 63; so much for plans eh! Life ain't fair. Why should my Aunt live to such a great age, and my DH not? It's fate, it's what life deals us and worrying about what, where and how is a waste of time. If we new what the future held we probably wouldn't get out of bed in the morning

You don't need courage Falcon it creeps up on you and you deal with it.
That's all there is to it. I have been fortunate to have good health all my life. I have a few blips now with a wonky knee and a problem with my eye but I do the same, I deal with it. Best wishes to all who dread old age, you truly will just cope. Don't dread it embrace it.

I have watched your film Seasidesu it was as you say inspirational. Congratulations on it, what an achievement. I loved Beryl's advice, don't get the doldrums and sit in a chair, I'm going to take it up asap.
for you and your inspiring women.

My first encounter with advancing years was when my first grandchild was born. I was only 61 so thought I would be the same as when I was in my twenties and early thirties with my own three children.

Soon found out that my body had stiffened up my back hurt and I just wasn't as nimble or flexible.

My mind had changed a nappy with ease but my body was still lagging behind fumbling about trying to do it.

Bit stiffer now 8 years on but no real change except now my brain isn't as nimble.

Annsixty I will try to embrace old age but wasn't it Betty Davies who said "old age ain't for sissies."

[marmight] wow your aunt is an example to us all. If thought my aunts were good but she is certainly fantastic. I agree I would not want to know what the future holds, DH and I try to enjoy our time together as much as we can.