Young. Old. Just Words
By John R. Greenwood
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| “Young. Old. Just Words...” - George Burns |
I released this bottle a few weeks ago on a visit to Washington County. All my other bottles have been released in the city of Saratoga Springs. I hadn’t set any bottles free since earlier this year. My life had clogged with other responsibilities and my focus on writing had blurred. It wasn’t as though I’d gone completely off grid. In 2018 I had stories published in five issues of Simply Saratoga Magazine. The Winter Edition that came out last week is my first for 2019. As I contemplate retirement and the next phase of my life, the subject of age keeps knuckle-punching me in the arm. Having spent forty some years processing, selling, delivering, and picking up milk I’m trying to prepare myself to living a life simply drinking it. Retirement is not a comfortable word for me. The fact that I have Studs Terkel’s 600 page book “Working” on my bookshelf should provide a clue that work holds a special place in my life. Based on my struggle with the word ‘retirement’ itself, it would probably be a good idea to hang on to my alarm clock.
I’ve had a good run, I should be looking forward to owning my own days--and I am. The difficult part for me is the fact that my head and mind don’t match the creaks and groans of my body. It brings to mind a poem I wrote a decade ago called, “Man Mirror.” I’ll re-share it here.
Man Mirror
It is a special mirror
Unlike the female version
Man Mirror is magic
It flattens, flatters and fixes
Man Mirror creates strength
Full thick manes of blondness
No hesitation, no insecurity
Man Mirror inverts numbers
52’s become 25’s
Wrinkles become muscles
Grey t-shirts transform
Dads into starting quarterbacks
Boys into men
Men into boys
Man Mirror steamy and hot
Make reflections like
No imperfections
No flaws
All appear clean, cut, and vibrant
Who can resist the vision that stands there
Strong, tall rippled Adonis
Man Mirror
Man Mirror
On the wall
Who’s the fairest of…
The poem is true to a man’s interpretation of themselves. We all think we’ll live forever. We don’t see the same thing our wives see. It’s a healthy place to reside—until, the rust starts to fall off. Then we can’t believe what’s happening. For now, I’m content and comfortable. I’m optimistic about the days ahead. Its normal to approach the end of a 45 year career with trepidation. The difficulty lies in feeling like it began yesterday.
I hope whoever adopted this bottle understands the feelings behind the phrase. It’s meant to battle back the fear of aging. As the AARP mailings flood my mailbox and overflow my recycling bin I refuse to buckle. With busload after busload of my fellow baby boomers lining up for flights to the Sunshine State I plan to remain right where I am. I’ll continue to unfurl my snow-rake and pull the snow from the roof’s edge. I’ll relish in the ankle-high maple leaves each fall. I’ll anticipate spring with the fervor of a young farmer. I’ll ask for my senior discount if I want it, and I’ll refuse it if asked. I enjoyed my fifties more than I ever imagined. My sixties have caught me off guard and unprepared. I’m not afraid--maybe a little nervous. When all is said and done, I have no regrets, only thanks. Thanks for all the friends, stories, and experiences that I’ve been blessed with. Add to that my family, and my work, and I hit the life-jackpot.
Isn’t that what it’s all about?
Old?
Just a word…
John, loved this piece. Retirement is an interesting phase of life. I am 57, my husband 59. We both retired 2 years ago. It took us both nearly a year to "be retired." That does NOT mean, dottering, sitting in recliners moaning about the state of the world, watching "Wheel of Fortune." It meant our shoulders relaxed, we started putting things off that could be done ANY other day, and started taking walks to nowhere, and doing nothing, and not feeling as if we've left things undone. Whew. We both lost our Dads in the last 2 years, and each have been busy with the concomitant duties and feelings. We don't do "old" talk; we feel so very fortunate that we can afford to be retired, that we are still vital and contributing to adding light to the lives of those around us. We spend a good deal of time helping others, because we can. We've taken LONG vacations, because we can. Being retired is pure joy, a gift. We love this phase. I know you will love it too!
ReplyDeleteYour family and friends have been blessed to know you for all these years Jon, and we who have just ‘met’ you through your beautiful reminiscing on all sorts of days and topics, we who are just meeting at this stage of life through your blog, we count you too, as a friend for life! Thanks so much for a lovely reminder to cherish all the good - Bless, and release! I had a father figure that always said upon saying goodbye for awhile, “Don’t forget the best is yet to come” - and so I say that in his memory and to honor your commitment to staying the path of love and hope! Thank you Jon!
ReplyDeleteYou don't sound like a person who is going to spend retirement watching Wheel of Fortune. I hope you don't mind if I suggest reframing retirement as becoming self-employed. You set the schedule. You determine what projects benefit from your energy. I suspect you'll be even busier in retirement than you are now, maybe just on a schedule that's friendlier to your body.
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