Sitting in a window in my favorite bar looking out at the numerous older people who are members of our community going about their daily routine, I came to understand the effects of the aging process in its many manifestations and reflected upon what changes I might anticipate as I approached my 85th birthday. Over the course of time, I noticed that there are three phases which these neighbors passed through: the introduction of a cane, then a crutch, a movable multiuse cart and finally giving into a wheelchair. I also noticed that older people are not shunned in our community, indeed in Spain as a whole. We become everyone´s abuela “grandparent”, and respect and unsolicited assistance is offered by all ages.
Now back to me. I have been fortunate to have good genes and have aged very well. I take this as true as it is others who confirm this for me, since I have been without a decent sized mirror to assess this. The only time I can see the changes occurring now that I am 85 is by observing my reflection in a store window. So, you can imagine my dismay when one day I observed the reflection of a women, walking with head thrust forward, her shoulders rounded, trying to balance on the uneven streets with her cane and realized with horror it was I.
There is much to consider from a mere reflection. I had already decided that there was a line I would not cross as I aged. Vanity had a lot to do with this decision. Yes, I could as an artist, strap my brush to my hand like Renoir working from a wheelchair, or work from my bed with assistants like Matisse, but this didn’t sit well with me, nor did depending upon others for my mobility. So, I have some serious reflection to engage in as I march towards 90.
Reflection:
Sitting in a window in my favorite bar looking out at the numerous older people who are members of our community going about their daily routine, I came to understand the effects of the aging process in its many manifestations and reflected upon what changes I might anticipate as I approached my 85th birthday. Over the course of time, I noticed that there are three phases which these neighbors passed through: the introduction of a cane, then a crutch, a movable multiuse cart and finally giving into a wheelchair. I also noticed that older people are not shunned in our community, indeed in Spain as a whole. We become everyone´s abuela “grandparent”, and respect and unsolicited assistance is offered by all ages.
Now back to me. I have been fortunate to have good genes and have aged very well. I take this as true as it is others who confirm this for me, since I have been without a decent sized mirror to assess this. The only time I can see the changes occurring now that I am 85 is by observing my reflection in a store window. So, you can imagine my dismay when one day I observed the reflection of a women, walking with head thrust forward, her shoulders rounded, trying to balance on the uneven streets with her cane and realized with horror it was I.
There is much to consider from a mere reflection. I had already decided that there was a line I would not cross as I aged. Vanity had a lot to do with this decision. Yes, I could as an artist, strap my brush to my hand like Renoir working from a wheelchair, or work from my bed with assistants like Matisse, but this didn’t sit well with me, nor did depending upon others for my mobility. So, I have some serious reflection to engage in as I march towards 90.