I have often heard the expression,
age is just a number
said by people who are not old.
Say that to the old person who
heard himself or herself grunt for the first time
when she or he got old and bent over
to pick up something.
Say that to the old person who for the
first time struggled to get up from the floor
when she or he got old.
Say that to the old person
when aging compromises her or his
balance and depth perception
and a fall can be deadly.
Say that to the old person who
fell and broke her or his hip
when she or he got old.
Say that to the old person who
for the first time in her or his
life began having medical problems.
Say that to the old person
who got dementia when she
or he got old.
Say that to the old person
who lost her of his ability
to live independently and
is in a nursing home.
But say that to me because
despite the aforementioned
irrefutable facts,
I’m still a little in denial.
Bob Boyd