I dread going to see medical professionals-doctors, nurses, etc. Why? Well, there are several reasons. Some stem from childhood, but some come from the present.

Last month, I went to the doctor for my annual wellness checkup. I got these questions: Do you experience confusion? ( Well, yes, but I’ve always had a little-my family says I have ADD.) How are you at driving? (Fine, everyone tells me I’m a good driver. For goodness sakes, I drive in Dallas and Tyler-what does that tell you!) Oh, you fall? (Yes, but I’m clumsy-always have been and I’ve never broken anything!) Can you function in the kitchen? (Of course, but I don’t like to cook, so we eat out a lot. I have to admit I’m not as good as a cook as I used to be, but I’m not interested.)

Oh, yes, and there was the time I went to a nurse practitioner, who looked like she belonged in high school. Basically, she said “Oh, when you get to be your age, exercise and diet won’t help bring down your blood pressure. You need medication.” No one told me that before. By the way, I was only in my 60’s at the time. I’m still here and not on medication.

And so on and so on. I keep being reminded how old I am and how my body is slowly falling apart.
ENOUGH!

After I left the doctor’s office, I felt twice as old. I was depressed for days after this. I started thinking, “Is my memory failing?” “Am I confused?” NO! These questions just put these notions in my mind.

Respect my age and my intelligence. Sure, I’m getting “aged”, but I know that and I don’t need someone reminding me of all the dire consequences of getting older. I remember going through menopause and reading all of the awful things that happen to women. How your life is over. Not so! Maybe in some ways it’s better. And I sure this is true of a lot of the statements about aging.

We older folks need positiveness!

This is my motivation to write this blog. Let’s see the positiveness of being 70 and older. Try to look past the bags and sags and wrinkles and think,

“She’s still young at heart.”