My wife is one of the best landscapers I have ever known, : and I am a pretty damned good vegetable gardener. But, due to our age and declining strength, we are going to have to give up those things which we have dearly loved for many years. .We will be downsizing in the next year so that we do not have so much take care of.
For you youngsters, you need to know that getting oder is a process of letting go of things which you thought were necessary for the quality of life you want. In my 40s I gave up sports that I loved -- fast pitch softball, racquetball, volleyball. At about the same time I became a diabetic and had to give up many foods that i found delicious. In my 60s due to macular degeneration I greatly cut back on my reading: I used to read an average of at least a book a week. in my 70s, due to decreasing heart strength, I had to give up walking (prior to that time I walked 3 to 5 miles a day). And, honestly, as one gets older sex becomes much less important. For a long time I was a high achiever designing, developing and implementing projects to improve th performance of schools. How my goals are much smaller and much shorter in term.
Even with that, one can and should maintain his or her dignity and will. It is simply a matter of adjusting to reality.
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6 comments
Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.It is obvious you have kept your dignity and aged gracefully.
I'm 78 and for the last 2 years I have welcomed a lady to help me with my yard work. I have an acre full of trees, leaves,weeds and way too many flower beds.
I hope you find your next home to be as pleasant as you have made this one. I hope it's possible for you to have some raised beds there where you can grow a tomato or two and your wife's favorite flowers.
Lorajay
Level 9
Mar 16, 2021
2
Thank yoy.
Still take care of my yard, house, pool. But now sometimes hire people to help, high school or college kids if i can. Also, it takes 3 days at least to get done what used to take a short afternoon, but so what?
And look into Audio books, my 90% blind (from Mac Deg) father-in-law was the most informed man i knew thanks to weekly Time & Newsweek audio tapes,& All books/magazines, all free to him....i believe it was a world-wide organization, cannot remember the name of it, sorry, but most of the readers were famous actors donating their time.
Focus on what you Can do,you will be a lot happier!
AnneWimsey
Level 9
Mar 16, 2021
3
What you write rings so true! I just turned 53, and my eyesight is getting worse by the week, it seems. I do miss being able to read and seeing clearly without tons of wattage lighting my way.
I’ve also been doing some heavy retirement planning. I have to keep in mind potential (dis)abilities and limitations when choosing where to live.
Apunzelle
Level 7
Mar 16, 2021
1
Oh yes, Wordywalt, this is the reality of aging. But there is another choice: my grandson and his partner ow live in my house. Deeanna has taken over the gardening and loves it as much as I do. Brendan does all the heavy work and things requiring reaching high places and such. My house has become a central place for all ages in our family. I love it, although I had to let my standards slip a bit.
Spinliesel
Level 9
Mar 16, 2021
3
I am glad that you have been able to work out the arrangment. Our children have established lives and careers in Connecticul, Kansas and California.
@wordywalt That must make you so proud. I am glad at least one of my grandchildren is a hippie at heart, just as I am.
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