WYFP is our community's Saturday evening gathering to talk about our problems, empathize with one another, and share advice, pootie pictures, favorite adult beverages, and anything else that we think might help. Everyone and all sorts of troubles are welcome. May we find peace and healing here.
Won't you please share the joy of WYFP by recommending?
When people would ask me what I wanted to be when I grew up my answer was 35 (yeah, yeah I know, but I was an odd kid). That was true when I was 6 and true some days now that I am 60.
In two days, I turn 61. It doesn't seem possible I'm considered a "senior citizen" since I still have the same energy and drive I did when I was in my 30's. What I don't have is the physical strength or endurance of a 30 or 40 year old.
At 60, things have definitely changed. Doing household chores takes longer due to the need for more breaks. Home repair projects have to be done in stages because of easily strained muscles, backaches and arthritic hands. A simple stoop or squat requires a helping hand or something to grab on to in order to stand up.
Did I mention menopause? The miserable power surges, aka as hot flashes, could stop a sumo wrestler in his tracks if only sumo wrestlers got hot flashes. One is enough to sap the energy from me for a few hours so imagine having 5 or 6 an hour. They seem to be lessening since I'm only having 3 or 4 a day while awake. At night, I wake every few hours to throw off the covers 'cuz I feel like I'm about to spontaneously combust then when I start to cool down cover up toss and turn a while and finally get back to sleep.
Ahhh, sleep. Another problem. If there was a contest for world's best sleeper I would have been a champ 10 years ago. I was asleep as soon as I closed my eyes and could sleep anywhere literally. I have slept on stairs, standing against a wall, curled up on the front seat of a car, in chairs kitchen and living room, floors, outdoors on gravel, ground hard as concrete and logs. And I'm not talking naps here I'm talking blissful 8 to 10 hours of unbroken sleep with only minor stiffness that went away within a few minutes. Now I'd be grateful for an unbroken 5 hours.
Age does have some percs. I find I am even more patient now, a better listener, not concerned about how I look to others, more understanding and caring, able to laugh easily at myself, can read a 400 page book in 5 hours, and waaaaay more politically minded and involved. I am still curios about people and the world around me and am profoundly effected by the pain and suffering of others. I'm not easily scammed and still get angry at injustice, greed and corruption though my ability to spot them is greatly enhanced. I am involved in life.
So, what's your fucking problem or not today?