Senior – An August Title

Awarded the prestigious title of a Senior, not a promotion in the corporate world, nor a senior in the professional field, not a senior doctor, or a senior lawyer, not a senior banker, either. Not earned for a commendable tenure, nor for any useful accomplishment, but Senior, a title rewarded, for merely crossing the revered age of sixty.

An August age, when we expect respect to be accorded naturally, concessions to be allowed, easily, compensations to be granted, unquestionably. When life is less stressful, less complicated, when discipline and time, have little control over our routine. An age in life, when we feel entitled, to live as we deem. But lo, it is a rude awakening to the contrary, as we are painfully introduced to tennis elbow, frozen shoulder, tinnitus, cataract , incontinence, and of course, the embarrassing flatulence, at the most inopportune moment.

Rising in the morning to aches and pains, is it the knee that protests, the back that twinges, or the neck that is stiff ? Walking with an air of the aggrieved, wearing an expression of disgruntlement, we start the day with that infernal, empty time on our hands. Breakfast, hitherto hurried , takes forever, though it is just toast and eggs . Tasks that seemed easy, now stretch on unendingly.

Daily ablutions, once perfunctory, is now performed slowly. After a shower we emerge, exhausted, ready to rest our feet. As the day stretches ahead, with not much to do, we eagerly fall upon the crossword. Solving the wordle , nerdle , quordle, in record time. We then share it with family and friends, to establish who is first. Lunch is light, like most of our meals, except for the evening tea, which is a ceremonious affair.

Outings are few and far between, each one planned, a day in advance, to work out the complexity of the simple logistics. The roads that we once navigated with prowess, we now find chaotic, a challenge, and drive, hesitantly. Contending with blaring horns, racing cars, unruly drivers, we find it an absolute menace. Not to mention the frustration, of watching, most everyone overtaking us, as we drive along at a safe speed.

Being punctual for occasions, is now a rarity. Those last minute preps, known only to seniors, take up most of our time. The clothes we wear, are not trendy, but practical, our shoes are sensible, and we are sometimes viewed as oddities. Though emancipated and liberated, yet conventional at heart, we find modern ensembles, rather bizarre and scandalous, especially those that conceal not much, and make Eve look overdressed. Because of our age and experience, we always offer an opinion, on most everything, which is seldom received well.

Dinner is done by 6 pm. The choice of entertainment on TV are many, yet they hold little interest for us. With nothing much to do, we are ready for bed, early. Though tired and worn out by the end of the day, sleep plays truant at night. With much difficulty, we drift off to sleep, to be transported to wakefulness, by every minute sound. To add to our problems, the frequent requirement to relieve ourselves, has equal claim to the state of our night vigilance .

Well, so much for the life of the venerated Senior, one who has crossed the hallowed age of sixty . Respect, comes not easily, concessions, a misconception, compensations don’t follow, indisputably. Our failing sight and hearing, a handicap at times and with amateurish skills in technology, we find online tasks quite demanding, but none of that does limit us, as undaunted we move onward .

Troubles and ailments we may have, yet our spirit is strong and cheerful, always brimming with fun. We find joy in each day, knowing these are the best years of our lives! For it is the time to learn, to love ourselves, to take pleasure in our own company, to discover our hidden talents, and rekindle forgotten passions. The time to rise, to transcend beyond our limiting circumstances, and live life to the fullest .