tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607471777855707790.post2052904228124310336..comments2023-10-11T03:49:53.934-04:00Comments on The Gold Puppy: The boy who cried wolfReya Mellickerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13076092659507965666noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607471777855707790.post-58088764156632152662013-03-17T13:14:19.783-04:002013-03-17T13:14:19.783-04:00Thanks for posting this. It's helpful to know ...Thanks for posting this. It's helpful to know how others deal with this aging thing. I'm not yet 55, yet I can sense the body tiring and slowing down. The list of things I once thought I'd be able to do forever but can no longer accomplish is growing longer. And even weirder, the things I once enjoyed, like traveling rough, I don't even want to do anymore. It's like I'm having to part ways with that person I once was, and greet this stranger I have become. Hope I can dredge up some grace with which to welcome my new self.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607471777855707790.post-38960897616403403752013-03-17T02:42:50.587-04:002013-03-17T02:42:50.587-04:00How funny -- I was just writing about how turning ...How funny -- I was just writing about how turning 40 wasn't such a big deal to me. I guess I still have bigger milestones to come!<br /><br />Perhaps it isn't a negative thing to be reminded of mortality. Perhaps it helps us treasure life all the more. I wonder if there's a way to reconsider your reaction to that reminder -- to take the sadness and turn it into appreciation, maybe? Not to turn away from it, though -- you should always just feel what you feel.Steve Reedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11684120060438252945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607471777855707790.post-75491408657558649042013-03-16T19:07:59.045-04:002013-03-16T19:07:59.045-04:00Reya, you may think this strange but at 60 I'm...Reya, you may think this strange but at 60 I'm ready!!<br />I'd see it as an escape card from the possibility of undignified dependence in old age. When heart surgeon was discussing serious risks of approaching surgery with my husband (he was only 55 at the time) we both explained we had no fear of death - we'd experienced a good family, travelled the world, lived a good and simple life. He was amazed and amused saying it's rare to come across an attitude like that. It comes down to the avoidance of long-term suffering and the indignity of loss of body functions I think.<br /> My daughter is not amused by this attitude, but she knows we don't want the long slow death scenario- and I've certainly seem too many oldies in my life (particularly laying mostly unconscious and incontinent)in nursing homes, where expiration far beyond the use-by date is painful to see, particularly the effects of dementia.<br />No, I figure just enjoy life and hope for a quick exit before the shit hits the fan,...or the padded 'pull-ups' for that matter!...and the deterioration thing? Without it birthday card manufacturers would go out of business, and there'd be no whacky weak punchlines - aint no escape!<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607471777855707790.post-53063189733775264162013-03-16T11:48:04.433-04:002013-03-16T11:48:04.433-04:00I'm not ready either. Glad you plan to stick a...I'm not ready either. Glad you plan to stick around awhile. Reya Mellickerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13076092659507965666noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607471777855707790.post-73748035287719747532013-03-16T11:19:18.257-04:002013-03-16T11:19:18.257-04:00yes, the body begins to break down in the 50s. th...yes, the body begins to break down in the 50s. that's when my thyroid went wacky and I was diagnosed with osteoporosis and then my cholesterol went up. but as far as ailments go I guess I'm lucky. as you say, good food and staying active have helped keep me in good shape but no one avoids the eventual deterioration. I hope my body and mind go together. the only thing I fear about death is that my mind will go before the body gives up. but no, I don't fear death. I'm not ready at nearly 63 but I don't fear it.ellen abbotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00535475792150335186noreply@blogger.com