As I've commented before, Americans traditionally despise aging. It is considered something to avoid. "Young at Heart" and other such expressions only perpetuate the idea that getting old is a bad thing. The elderly are generally devalued by our society. Placed in facilities to await death, they are often the most neglected group of our entire society.
True with old age comes physical deterioration and bouts with senileity. Due to their declining health status, the average American is more forgiving of socially inappropriate actions committed by the elderly. Older Americans are allowed to say whatever they think, act like children, and return to a simpler life without social criticism. I'm not saying that the elderly have it easy...but I'd like to point out that era of life has some finer aspects.
My grandfather has been rather out spoken his entire life. Now that he is 84, he feels it is right to comment on every person he says. Now that is he almost deaf...he makes these comments quite loudly. Our poor musical director was subjected to comments about her size during the entire junior high Christmas program a few years back. Despite my parents and sibling vigilant efforts to quiet him, he continued to make comments. Never did another member of the audience ask him to shush nor did the musical director. All this is taken in stride to "humor the old geezer." Grandfather is also well known in our small time for securing his pallbearers. Ever the planner, he has had his pallbearers lined up for the past 6 years. He frequently forgets who he is already asked, so I'm counting on at least 15 when the day finally arrives.
Grandpa and Grandma now get to ride around the mall in their scooters. Never mind that they have run over the toes of at least 25 strangers and the walls in their house have mysterious holes in the shape of the handle bars. They are free to drive around these new toys wherever they can make them fit. As a 10 year old these would have been as cool as a dirt bike. The scooters of course are compliments of the Federal Government for reaching the age of 70+. Grandma and Grandpa are also enjoying themselves immensely with their lift-chair races.
Ready
Set
Go!
Let's see who can get dumped out first.
Finally, being the patriarch and matriarch of the family allows them to dictate the day, time, meal, and schedule of events of family activities. We know that Thanksgiving is held on Thanksgiving Day, at lunch time, a traditional meal of turkey, corn casserole, dressing w/o sage, pistachio jello salad, rolls, and home made pumpkin pie w/Cool Whip will be served. Grandma calls to remind us of this usually at the end of October. Not that we mind doing the work as they aren't really capable. But it would be nice to try a ham for once.
Overall aging holds some promise. I just home my family loves me enough to put up with my shenanigans when I reach that age.
1 comment:
Saying you hate the elderly might be the understatment of the year. Maybe it is a reflection of our society that it is not till old age we say whatever we feel like saying, or maybe its neurons firing and missing their targets, who knows. I think the reason the government gives the scooters is this: are we not facing a problem of to many elderly taxing the system, surely giving them vehicles will promote their untimely demise thus lessoning the financial implications on the country.
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