Something is Creeping Up!

You may wonder what my hand has to do with anything. Well it is not the fact that it is a hand, but the fact that it is an ageing hand. The other day, I was struck by what I saw when I really looked at my hand.

It seems like it was just a few months ago that the skin on my hand was fairly smooth. Now, all of a sudden, my hand is full of wrinkles and getting brown spots. My knuckles are starting to show some bending in undesirable directions. My fingernails show the ever present sign of "the fungus". When I pull on the loose skin on the back of my hand, it sort of stands there awhile before settling back down.

How did this happen? I have always prided myself on being the only one from my high school class who has not aged! By our 50th reunion, I probably will not be able to truthfully say that anymore.

I remember turning 40. That was not that long ago. Just recently, I turned 50. As of a couple weeks ago, I am officially "turning 60" and on the countdown during this next six months.

This past weekend, Dad mentioned that he feels like he peaked, physically, around the age of 45. If that is generally true, that means I am 1/3 of the way back down the shady side. Not only that, but the more I descend, the steeper it gets and the faster I slide.

It is not just my body that seems to be ageing. I now find myself referring to people in their 40's as kids. I believe that is a sign of a mindset shift. I have begun to think about what I would be doing if I were retired. All of the choices sound good.

So, as I proceed towards the really big "6-0", maybe you will help me keep track of where I am. After all, the memory is not quite as sharp as it used to be. As next March approaches, wear black in celebration of the occasion and if you are in the neighborhood, plan on attending the surprise BD party I am throwing myself.