Turning 60! What does that mean?

By Sharon Best

I was at the Admiral theatre recently, watching Michael Clayton. I thought it was a pretty good movie - but I couldn't really hear it very well. I thought I might complain, but then I realized no one else was having a problem! Every once in a while, when I thought the dialogue might be fairly important, I innocuously cupped my hand behind my ear so I could understand the words. All the time, I'm thinking, this is what old people do!

As I was doing this, I remembered that I couldn't make out the words on the Yes, We Can song on You Tube. I blamed that on the fact that the song was deliberately a beat or two out of sync with Barak Obama's actual speech that was being aired simultaneously. That would be enough to throw anyone off, wouldn't it? Well, the youngsters who were listening with me didn't seem to be phased. OK, I just turned 60, so does that mean my hearing capacity suddenly turned off. Say it isn't so!

Is it only hearing? I can handle that, I'll go check out some teensy weensy hearing aids, even if I can't believe I really need them. I've been around too many aging people who complain about people around them "mumbling" and demanding that everyone else speak up. Perhaps I can arrange some kind of a "fix" on my own without blaming everyone else for talking too low.

Hearing aids can't be that far different from glasses, can they? Speaking of glasses, why is it that I now must have my glasses to read fine print. Wasn't it just last year that I could read the phone book without glasses? Now, depending on the time of day, I can't make out whether the "3" is a "$" or an "8" if I'm not wearing my glasses! And, that's a good time of day. The rest of the time, it's a big batch of fuzz.

Ok, and what about the memory thing? The names - the names ... . My office staff has become expert at rescuing me from my temporary memory losses. When one of my clients comes in unexpectedly, I could easily draw a blank on their name. How embarrassing!

People come to me for my advice and wisdom. They pour out their life stories! The least I could do is to remember their names. Does it matter that I have many thousand clients, each with their own particular issues? Not to the client standing in front of me, whose name I can't quite reach. It's right there, on the tip of my tongue - oh, no, it's receding - come back, come back! So my staff might say, "Sharon, you remember John and Jane Q. Public, don't you? They'd like to talk to you about that easement you did for them three years ago." Wow! Saved again! Now, if someone can only find the glasses that I set down somewhere... .

I looked down at my hands the other day and noticed that my left little finger had two red protuberances coming from the first joint. Ouch! They hurt a little when I rubbed them, just a little. I searched for my glasses so I could see these offending bumps a little better. Aagh! I then went to my computer and Googled up "arthritis" to see if there was anything I should know. I learned that there are a whole lot of arthritis "cures" for sale, but not a whole lot you can do about the condition. Darn! Is this what turning 60 is really all about?

Those of you who have read my prior columns know that I've been through insomnia, liver disease, weight gain and loss, and hot flashes! I'm still dealing with each of these to some degree. In recent years, I've climbed Mt Rainier and Mt Baker, learned to swim, and participated in triathlons. In my life, to date, I have generally met the goals I have set for myself. (All but getting that Olympic gold medal.) So, now, how do I deal with this future of apparently diminishing capabilities?

Truly, I haven't decided. I know that I can rail against aging by climbing more mountains, winning my age group in physical competitions, and going on American Gladiators as the oldest ever competitor.

Or, I could decide to head a different direction. Actually, I would like to be able to bend over and touch my toes! Enhanced flexibility can avoid many aches and pains. Who knows? Maybe with a little more internal focus and consistent practice, I could actually serenely and confidently do Warrior I and Warrior II yoga poses without cramping my hip flexor and falling on my tush!

There are a whole host of things over which one has no control, including diminishing hearing, eyesight and arthritis. But ... stammer I, now I have superior judgment, calm and rational demeanor and wisdom that I only wish I had at a younger age. I think it's a pretty fair quid pro quo. I'm just 60, with a lot of get up and go remaining. I totally enjoy life (especially on sunny days). I'm not driven to achieve more and more and I'm far more able to relax and smell at least some of the roses.

Annette Herrick (a personal trainer with common sense and one of West Seattle's hidden treasures) and Dr. Oz have convinced me that I can influence, if not control, my health and my approach to health challenges by eating foods that are really good for me and exercising appropriately. I have decided to tone down my personal exercise. I may add yoga and meditation into my weekly pattern, and substitute occasional hikes for rigorous mountain climbing training.

I do intend to do the Danskin triathlon again this year. (After all, I didn't learn to swim for nothing!) But, I'm going to enjoy the camaraderie of the event rather than kill myself trying to win my age group. I have already converted to eating organic vegetables and eggs from happy chickens, while not totally eschewing a good steak now and then. Yes, I even took basic cooking classes from West Seattle's own Culinary Communion (now on Beacon Hill). Last week I cooked organic rutabaga, turnips and parsnips - and enjoyed eating them. So, you see, you can teach an old dog new tricks!

As a concession to turning 60, I intend to check out those hearing aids while I still have hearing to aid. I might also get those little straps that keep your glasses around your neck. I'll take more notes, make more lists and talk to whatzisname about the whatjamajigger.

And lastly, I'll spend more time with good friends, sharing hearty laughs!

Sharon Best may be reached via wseditor@robinsonnews.com