Sheesh.  There has been so much news about an elderly woman this or an elderly man that – all about tragedies or bad news like found in a dumpster or killed in a crash.  And how old are these elderly people?  72, 75, sometimes 65.  So I supposed that makes me an elder. In other words, old.

I can’t put my finger on it – when I knew that I was old.  No longer young.

And then Civil Beat (who I sometimes don’t like because of their love of dirt on people) had an article, “A “Super-Aged” Population Poses Major Challenges for Hawai’i”.  These “super-aged” are 75 years and older, with the greatest needs, using up resources by being in a “lifestyle deficit”.  Using up more than we produce.  Sheesh again.

Well, this old lady doesn’t buy it.  Actually, most of my friends are older than me.  They deserve and enjoy life as retirees, are active in their communities, and give back by teaching, sharing, or volunteering their time and resources.  Or socializing and playing poker with friends.  Life going forward is not a dreary future, but a hopeful one that we are healthy and of good mind until the end.  We all have seen or heard of our parents going into decline, and it is inevitable for us, but most of us prepare for that end with family or long term care insurance.

I do agree that we need more care homes – but ones that cater to us rather spoiled Baby Boomers and allow us to live vibrant productive lives and not confine us to beds and television.

Ever since I realized that I am old, it has been a blessing instead of a curse.  I can have wrinkles, white hair, sagging skin, and not care about it.  I can have nice young people hold the door open for me and give the same old lectures to my kids even if they roll their eyes.  Of course I do miss the perks of being younger such as being able to qualify for refinancing mortgages (which I loved to do) or jumping around and driving fast.  But now, I love the slower, more deliberate pace that I have in my daily life.

When our dear friend Tommy Holmes passed away over 30 years ago at age 47, this song was played at an event for him.  Bob Dylan’s “Forever Young”.  It was so appropriate for him as he was a mover and shaker and doer of so much for so many.

Maybe we (the elderly) aren’t movers and shakers like he was, but now this song is appropriate for us as we enter the era of the Super Aged.  We still rock!