Sick And Tired

I enjoy playing with my nieces. Years ago when Megan was younger she usually wore me out. I recall one day when I told her, "Megan, I am old and I am tired." She looked right at me and replied, "Uncle Dan, you're not tired." She was only being honest in her appraisal of me. My own wife has told me that I have experienced much more than most people my age. I do not have a problem with being old. What I cannot handle is being sick.

There are many things I could do differently. Exercise is mandatory for someone with fibromyalgia and is good advice for anyone wanting to better their health. Eating right, whatever that may mean, is also part of maintaining one's body. Stress reduction and relaxation techniques are both suggested by physicians for keeping our resistance up. Most people know this already. What no one teaches is how to develop the discipline to make these part of our life.

Maybe I should not complain? I have access to health care. The money is there to pay for whatever I may need. There are just certain realities that I have a hard time accepting. My wife and I both have health troubles that we inherited. We also tend to get sick more often than before and the time it takes to recover is much longer. I have always understood this in theory. Living it in reality is still such a shock despite repeated warnings from older adults.

Every part of our bodies works less efficiently as each year passes. There are little aches and pains that I cannot explain. One might think that I would appreciate life that much more. To them I say, no, not really. Although I value life in general I cannot feel sanguine about one that involves suffering. For the record let me acknowledge that all people age and that we all have our burden to bear. My only real complaint is that I feel so totally unprepared.

What profession exists to help people like me? Medical and social services abound for those in pain, for the infirmed and the aged. Ask any senior citizen and they will tell you without any hesitation that growing old is a bitch. What no one can tell me is what to do or how to feel about it. The only advice I have received is to "buck up" or "walk it off." We know that aging brings with it its own unique set of difficulties. What we ignore are those who go through this most discouraging process.

I am simply suggesting that there needs to be some form of social service that helps people in various stages of life. My idea may offend those who believe in limited government. People should sit down with a client and help prepare them mentally for what lay ahead. Let us use the experiences of others to soften the way for those following behind. Linking individuals in the same boat would offer moral support and greater understanding.

We must get older; we have no choice. The fountain of youth has yet to be discovered no matter what that MLM may be hawking. There is no good reason to be alone or feel alone. If by sharing my experiences I may help another I would be more than willing. There must be others in various life stages willing to share their knowledge and wisdom. A great man once said that united we stand. Easing the suffering of others must become one of humanity's top priorities. If we are not reducing it we will inevitably increase it through our inaction.