Will Morrow (courtesy)

Will Morrow (courtesy)

Getting old is hard to do

Based on the survey questions, I’ve apparently been old for a while now

By Will Morrow

For the Peninsula Clarion

I guess I’m old now. Or at least I will be tomorrow.

There’s a new study out that found that Americans start to feel the effects of aging at 47 years old. I reach that milestone on Monday, so I guess I better live it up while I still can.

Based on the survey questions, I’ve apparently been old for a while now. My teenaged daughter would probably agree with that assessment. She frequently describes adults she meets as “old, like you,” which I’ve found can be anywhere from 30 to 90. So maybe I’m not that old after all?

Some of the survey questions had to do with the physical effects of aging, something I’ve become plenty familiar with. I had knee surgery for a torn meniscus at age 34, at which point I was told I should take care of my knees “like fine china.” I got glasses around the same time, when I realized (or finally admitted) that I was having trouble reading street signs. My 40th birthday was spent recovering from a hernia repair. The hair is getting gray, the blood pressure is a little high, and the list goes on.

Heck, the fact that I’m sharing way more than you ever wanted to know about my health history is a stereotypical old guy thing to do, isn’t it?

The study also found that many people are more concerned about their mental aging, with 25 percent of respondents reporting that they lose their train of thought at least once per day. I can definitely relate; “What was I saying?” is a regular part of most of my conversations.

All that said, I actually feel pretty good. Maybe a better word for “aging” would be “maturing.” Physically, I’m OK with not being as fast or as strong as I once was. I’ve found plenty of activities that don’t pound my “fine china” knees. On long mountain bike rides, I take breaks to stop and smell the flowers or listen to the birds — or, as was the case on a ride up to Lost Lake a couple years ago, picking blueberries. I’ll leave the “fastest known times” and Strava “King of the Mountain” segments to those who are not yet mature enough to know better.

As for the mental side of things, I’m not too worried about losing my train of thought — I usually seem to be able to find it again, though it sometimes takes a while. But that’s OK; when you’re stopping to pick blueberries, you have time to gather your thoughts, too.

They say that age is just a number, and that you’re only as old as you feel. I actually feel pretty good. Sure, I could stand to lose a few pounds, but otherwise, I don’t feel any worse for wear than I did back when my knees first became “fine china.” In fact, I’m in better shape now than I was at 35.

Then again, maybe you should ask me tomorrow.

Will Morrow lives in Kenai. Reach him at willmorrow2015@gmail.com.

More in Life

Virginia Walters (Courtesy photo)
Life in the Pedestrian Lane: A Little cheese with the whine?

No matter which side of the political fence we stand on, as a generation we are intolerant of pity parties

Photo by Clark Fair, 1990
This is the cabin on Pipe Creek, along the north shore of Tustumena Lake, where Harold Galliett sought shelter after surviving a commercial airlines crash in the lake in September 1965.
The 2 most deadly years — Part 4

The two most deadly years for people on or near Tustumena Lake were 1965 and 1975

File
Minister’s Message: Living out the incarnate love of Christ

Jesus showed the compassionate love of God to all He met

The cast of Nikiski Bulldog Theatre’s “Willy Wonka Jr.” rehearse at Nikiski Middle/High School on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Nikiski stages student-directed production of ‘Wonka’

A chocolate factory, the Oompa Loompas and a familiar tale of morality… Continue reading

These traditional southern Christmas Divinity Cookies are soft, extremely sweet and might provide some nostalgic joy. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Celebrating divine Christmas traditions

Grandma came to our door this weekend with a gift and a… Continue reading

These light and savory cheesy ring puff snacks are piped pate a choux with a generous handful of shredded Edam cheese. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Puffing up Thanksgiving

These light and savory snacks are piped pate a choux with a generous handful of shredded Edam cheese

Harold Galliett, the sole survivor of a 1965 Cordova Airlines crash into Tustumena Lake, is seen here raking his lawn in 1958. (Photo courtesy of the Galliett Family Collection)
The 2 most deadly years — Part 3

The two most deadly years for people on or near Tustumena Lake were 1965 and 1975

The cast of Soldotna High School’s “Grease” rehearse in the Soldotna High School auditorium in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, Nov. 25, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Greased Lightnin’ takes Soldotna stage

Soldotna High School Drama’s “Grease” opens next weekend

A butterfly rests on a hand in this undated photo. (Photo by Meredith Harber/courtesy)
Minister’s Message: Whispering our dreams into the world

Maybe that’s precisely what we need — to place our hope, our wish, our dreams — in something altogether impossible

Most Read