Casting my mind back to when I arrived in Spain, about 11 years ago, I felt comparatively young – a 35 year old in a 50 something body. I was full of energy and eager to be active. But what has happened during these 11 years? I still feel relatively fit but some of that energy has waned and I have to accept that I’m getting older.
Heavy work in the garden is still enjoyable, but the aches and pains that follow are more prolonged, even though the time worked is less. What used to be a day in the garden is now a 2 or 3 hour stint. Also, when I get up from a seat I tend to groan – and when I sit down I groan again, this time with relief; I used to laugh at people who did that!
I’m also aware of my age when I glance admiringly at a young woman. I pull in my stomach but to no effect – she doesn’t notice me. For some reason, men over 40 become invisible to young, attractive women. There’s also, though, a guilty realisation that the woman is probably younger than my daughter!
Another aspect of growing older is that I can’t always find the right word when I want it. Is this because I live in a foreign country and maybe am using two languages, or because my memory is telling me something? Learning Spanish has been a slow process, I certainly don’t want to start losing my English!
One of my habits is to write down things that I don’t want to forget, so I always have a pen and paper with me. Lists of things to do are a must. However, it doesn’t prevent me going into a room for something and forgetting why I went into there. We’ve all done it – it just seems to happen more frequently as one gets older.
When buying clothes, comfort now takes priority over fashion. A loose pair of trousers may not be the best fit, but they’re easier to put on and wear. Just to be sure of continuing comfort, I’ll buy two pairs. And comfort also takes priority when choosing a pair of shoes to wear; the narrower, stylish shoes are languishing at the back of the wardrobe.
All of these anecdotes have an amusing touch to them – at the moment. Reading the above may make me sound old before my time; although I believe that I’ve many healthy and useful years ahead. We may be living longer than our predecessors, but let’s hope we are able to enjoy the time, fully aware of what is happening around us.