At an impasse in life where we can walk into any retail business and be asked for our AARP Card for our Senior Citizen’s discount, I’m finally getting used to it. The reason it’s taking me so long to get used to it, is that behind these eyes I still feel like the same person that I’ve always been, possibly 26 to 30 years old. This is the paradox that I’ve alluded to many times. A quick glance at my own reflection in a mirror or window tells me that I’m “entitled to” a discount for getting up in years, long in the tooth, and/or of the older generation. Retirement has been a challenge.
It seems I’ve cocooned myself in years of “self interest”, writing and just getting used to retiring. What this entire statement means is that I’ve gotten used to having the house to myself for a certain portion of the day. I have “stuff” to do, but have the option of picking and choosing what I want to do. I can go to the gym (have to make myself go). I can bead, and that’s something I am totally interested in, and can do sitting on my ass. I can write, which I love to do; or I can clean out flowerbeds (no longer a joy), clean the carpets, dust, vacuum, do laundry, cook, or just none of the afore mentioned. I can sit on the bed and read while snuggling with the dog, or watch T.V. This doesn’t mean that I don’t appreciate when The Royster comes home … quite the opposite. I’m so glad when he comes home. I don’t have to decide what to do.
Since I’ve been trained from infancy that every moment and every second wasted is a sin, and that I must fill my waking hours with something productive, or something that shows I’m worthy of living this life on this planet, or I am simply not worthy. I guess that leaves out T.V. and reading (unless it’s the Bible).
God, let me do at least one kindness for at least one person today.
This morning was kicked off with a trip to the gym. I make three workouts a week. Fortunately, for me, this particular gym is where a number of women (only) of my ilk and peer group. I feel very comfortable going there, and enjoy the company of women mostly my age. It’s a really good workout (for me), and I make the circuit twice … and am done in 30 to 45 minutes. After a brief stretch-out, I return to my truck, where there is a list of things I need to do before going home.
I drive about 2 blocks in the general direction of home. My first stop is the Beadahaulic to buy some pieces I need to finish a piece of jewelry I’m making. Next stop is through Bubbles Car Wash to wash my truck, thus ensuring that it will rain in the afternoon. It worked. After that, I’m nearly home, but for a brief trip through the drive-through at the bank. They know me there, and send a dog biscuit for poor ol’ Hank. Since Hank loves to accompany me to the bank, he’ll be really hacked that he didn’t get to go. I will be thoroughly sniffed. “Hah! You went to the bank without me, didn’t you?”
One more stop at the grocery store for a couple of items, and then home.
As I walked in the back door, my phone rang. It was a friend that I hadn’t seen in a while. We agree to meet at Starbucks … an equal distance from each our homes. I put away the groceries, took a brief shower and put on clean capris', and looked for a tee-shirt that didn’t have something emblazoned across the chest or back. A nice pale green one that claimed nothing would have to do.
As I drove three miles down the road to meet Hanna, I anticipated getting to visit in a public place with a friend, and the possibility that I wasn’t sure how to act. I have bought at Starbucks many times before, mostly Iced Chi Tea, but, never to sit down and look like an intellectual in the throes of deep conversation. But today, as I met Hanna, I went all out; no holds barred, and had a Macchiato, sparing no ingredient. I certainly hope that we looked like intellectuals, because I pigged down that Macchiato in record time! We probably didn’t sound much like intellectuals either, because we giggled, snorted and guffawed the entire two hours. We had such a great time I wondered if I was in trouble for having so much fun. We did attract some side glances from other people also trying to appear intellectual.
On the way home, I stop off to visit my mother in law who lives at an assisted living facility. She’s having dinner with two other companions. The four of us chatted pleasantly for the next 30 minutes. I bid them farewell and made my departure for home and my Senior Citizen at home mode.
During that brief 2 hour intermission, I wondered if there was something at home I didn’t do or tend to, or left unattended? The dog is enough of a guilt trip for me when I come home. He wants to know “Where’ve you been? What do I smell on you … coffee and caramel? Who’ve you been seeing? And, why were you gone so long? … and … “Never mind that I have to pee … where’s my treat?”
Oh, my God! His food dish is empty, and his water dish is low! He may never forgive me! But, I know better. As soon as he does his business and comes back in the house, he’s my best friend again, snuggling and cuddling with me while we watch the news. Well, he’s my best friend until his litter mate comes home. You know … that guy that comes home in the big white thing with black tires. As soon as The Royster drives up, The Hankster is barking to tell me that his new best friend is home. Open the door! Bark, bark, bark! I open the door and The Royster enters …. More excited barking. I relinquish Hank to his litter mate.
I finally get back to the business of being at home, chopping eggs and vegetables for the tuna salad. That having been done, I started on the bracelet that I bought pieces for. As I thread the last gold piece on the end, I’m smiling and reviewing the fun I had with my friend at Starbucks; making a scene with loud storytelling and loud laughter … and, if possible grinning out loud; being a Senior Citizen, invading the usual crowd of Starbucks patrons. That was just too much fun! Yup! I’m definitely going to do that again! Watch for me, Starbucks. I’ll be back!
