Five things that make you feel older

The saying goes ‘Aging is not for sissies.’ But when you reach a certain age, life reminds you of the number. I'm not talking about getting out of bed and hearing multiple joints crack. It's more that there are things that you would do without thinking when you were younger but now —not so much.

Here are some personal examples:

Last month I was in Los Angeles for a day as part of a wedding weekend. I spent it sightseeing with my daughter and her husband, who had never been there.

We were cruising from Hollywood to Westwood on Sunset Blvd. I was driving 35-40 miles per hour. My daughter said, “People drive much faster on this road.” I responded, “I used to drive much faster here, too—when I was forty years younger.” In my mind, I was singing Jan & Dean’s “Dead Man’s Curve.”

That same trip started with a long Memorial Day weekend, in San Diego. While I was packing for the trip, I was thinking—obsessing—about how I was going to bring all my meds. There are eight daily pills that I put into a seven-day pill box. But then I started overthinking about what would happen if the box opened and all the pills fell out. I was given two alternatives: Take two boxes just to be safe. Put a rubber band on the box. After overthinking it some more, I just decided—fuck it—and I brought all my pills with me. Every! Single! ONE!!! Hmm—maybe it’s easier to just stay home? Sigh!

Talking about staying home, here are two more examples:

Next week the Rolling Stones are playing two concerts in Chicago. I’ve seen them multiple times so I decided early that it wasn't necessary to spend big bucks to go. But, the major dollars are now down to a very affordable $80 for the Sunday night show. But—-

It’s at Soldier Field!

I’d like to go but between trying to get there, parking, walking, being three stories high, eighty thousand people…and what if it rains!!

Sigh! What happened to the younger dude who would travel hours to see a concert, sometimes by hitchhiking? What happened to the kid who the only high he worried about back then was—well, never mind.

Talking about crowds…today the Chicago Cubs are honoring their Hall of Fame player Ryan Sandberg. The team is unveiling a statue of him at Wrigley Field. Ryno is my favorite baseball player of all time. My youngest daughter is named after him. You would think I would want to be there to watch the ceremony.

But, I’m thinking—always an issue—it’s two trains each way, it’s hot and humid, plus there will be a big crowd. Ehh…I can just watch this on television.

OY!!

But, here’s the one that really got me thinking:

Twice this week, I walked into the shower wearing my glasses. Not once, but TWO TIMES! The good news is I at least noticed it and took them off before getting under the water. And just a few minutes ago, I started to get in while wearing my watch. Oh yeah—it’s not waterproof.

Man oh man—all this has been in just the last few weeks. I can't wait to see what the next sign will be. By the way…I’m only seventy-two—or is it really—This is seventy-two? Sigh! But I need to end this diatribe now—I’m off to the mall to walk.