Yesterday, I showed up at Maggie’s assisted living facility with my arms full of celebratory offerings. A couple dozen cupcakes, a heart-shaped balloon, several cards, a few small gifts and a bouquet of flowers. With the help of the activities director and a caregiver, we gathered as many folks as we had cupcakes, and cheerfully marked her 82nd.birthday. When asked how old she was, Maggie honestly replied she didn’t know, but added, “I don’t think it really matters.” Some might think it was dementia speaking, I smiled, certain it was wisdom. Then, upon being told she was born in 1929, she gasped and was visibly joyful as she considered the span of her years. I had to choke back tears.
Just as we finished singing “Happy Birthday,” a few in the group started in with the Polish counterpart Sto lat translated as “Happy 100 years to you.” Talk about a group of optimists! Wasn’t it enough we were celebrating an octogenarian’s birthday? Now they were wishing her close to twenty more. In Poland, sto lat is also suitable for other celebrations, not just birthdays.
The moment was in stark contrast to one earlier this week, when a friend who is still a few years away from 50, told me she just received an invitation to join AARP. She asked, “Isn’t that an organization for senior citizens?” As the mother of a 10 year-old child, she was appalled that an association for “old” people would contact her regarding membership. I assured her they start recruiting members a few years before eligibility, and recalled feeling the same way when I received my invitation from the group.
Society certainly sends us mixed messages about growing old. A while back, I thumbed through a senior living supplement to my local newspaper. It was well written, and full of informative articles directed at the ever increasing number of aging “boomers.”
Most stories covered what one would expect; medical updates, hearing loss, diabetes and so on. Somewhere near the middle of the tabloid, a two-page spread caught my attention. Nestled among advertisements for mobility scooters, Medicare health plans and walk-in bath tubs, was an article on anti-ageing (their spelling) or cosmetic procedures. Huh? Facelifts!
The writer explained how both men and women in the over 55 crowd are turning to surgical and non-surgical procedures, not as a way to boost their own self-image, but instead, as a measure to keep them competitive in today’s workforce. Most employed people in this economy understand competitive means you get to keep your job. Cosmetic procedures can lead to career success was clearly the message of the article. What happened to hard work, keeping your mouth shut, and finishing your task before the end of the day?
As a woman of a certain age, I must confess I have stood in front of a mirror studying my face while gently pulling up on the skin near my hairline, and woefully wondering what gravity has yet in store for me. To date, I haven’t considered any procedures, medical or otherwise, to restore a more youthful look. However, given my current career of choice, perhaps I’ve been fooled into a false sense of job security. Are others my age seriously thinking about eye-lid surgery, facelifts and fat injections? (Yes, I had to read that one twice!) The non-surgical procedures sounded even more frightening – laser resurfacing, botox and fillers. All things considered, these treatments sound like they might be better suited for construction crews trying to keep our roads in good repair during the orange barrel months.
With my anxiety building to the point just short of a full-blown panic attack, I was relieved upon turning the page to learn about the power of optimism, and how it relates to good health. A full two-page spread, no advertisements, six-photos of happy faces and a much needed editorial dousing of good ol’ common sense. This article’s message was also clear. A better quality of life results from living with optimism as your guide. The optimistic person generally copes better with stress leading to improved health. Improved health means less visible signs of growing older.
Sounds like the best anti-ageing plan that I’ve read about in a while. Sto lat!
Copyright ©2011 by Carol M.W. Bagazinski – All Rights Reserved.
Love this Carol! And I wish I could scoop Maggie up in a big ol' hug for her birthday. Thanks for a reminder of what's important from those who really know!
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