Minnesota Institute of Public Health

Recently I celebrated a birthday, now in my sixth decade. Very nice; kids and friends stopped by or sent greetings. But here's when I really grasped the reality of getting old, and the chasm between my generation and the younger ones:

My 26 year-old son called from out of town, with a birthday wish. I had to return the call because our town home association had a block party going on, in conjunction with National Night Out (NNO). "Night Out" is fast becoming an oxymoron in our lives. When I returned the call to Daniel, he asked how we were celebrating. I said we had a pot luck gathering, some music, a visit by Police Reserve in context of NNO, and in the warm evening on a work night, had just come back home.

"But, dad", he said, "its 7:30!". Usually he did not begin to START his night out until well after that. Trying to save some pride, I mentioned Terri and I had traditionally done karaoke when this gathering was going on, "but it was too hot for that. Plus our neighbors with the karaoke machines had had leg vein surgery and hip trouble."

I made a point to share with him we were a hit with our duet last time.

"Well, what did you sing?", he inquired, tentatively.  "'Islands in the Stream' the Kenny Rogers - Dolly Parton song", I announced with vigor, hoping to impress him.

Long Pause, and a very patient and barely tolerant, "Okayyyyyyyy".

I started to re-create the block party in my head. Too hot for much movement, decaf coffee served, high fiber treats, conversation about Brett Favre, the stock market, health care, swapping surgery stories, and assessing crab grass, a couple of antacids tablets discretely gobbled, fold up the lawn chairs, good night. By the way, at this stage of my life, I find there is NOT such a thing as a comfortable lawn chair, only tolerable to painful lawn chairs.

I took a Tylenol and was in bed by nine. Swimming at the Y by 5 AM, starting my battle with aging again.

"Golden lads and girls all must, as chimney sweepers come to dust". 

- William Shakespeare.

- JJ