Becoming Old

Everyone deals with becoming old differently.  Some people do it with a smile, others are grouchy, many face types or stages of dementia, and there are a lot of awful illnesses and responsibility that comes with becoming old.

One of my favorite client's is constantly teaching me how to survive life with a sense of humor and snappy wit.  He has a major health problem and knows he is dying.  He does his best to keep the small amount of health he has left by exercising daily and continuing to be engaged in life.

He tells us stories about the old days of Ojai and his experience of living in the area most of his life.  He shares his whole self with us and never misses an opportunity to crack a joke.  He is always honest about how he is feeling; telling us he feels okay, but would like to trade in his body or that it's been a terrible morning and he's ready to be taken out by a truck.  He complains about the pains of getting old, with a quick smile and tip of his hat to us.  He is gracious in the help he receives and never overlooks an opportunity to talk about all the wonderful people that are in his life.

My favorite times with him are when he takes the rare opportunity to brag about himself.  He is a very talented artist and has been in shows around the world.  He has been featured in books, magazines and newspapers.  Every once in awhile I will catch the glimmer in his eyes when he is about to show me something incredible. Sometimes it is an article about him that someone saved for him, other times it's a painting he wants to show off that he did 50 years ago or 2 months ago.

He truly is a gem and I am so thankful that I have him as a constant reminder that I can't take life seriously.  After all, nobody gets out of it alive.