You're only as old as you think you are.
Working in a nursing home made me realize that yes, this statement is true. Among the most fascinating people in this world are elderly. It is hard to picture them interesting. Most people only see the elderly in two pictures: (1) the wizened old oak who will share the secrets of the universe before he passes and (2) the decrepit invalid who soils himself and you wish never to become. Both perceptions are also inaccurate. Not all old people are wise, I'm telling you. Aging is universal, maturity is not. This explains why you can find 40-year-olds living in their parents house cause they don't want to find a steady decent job to pay for house rent. This also explains my dumbass 50-something year old schizophrenic uncle who gives tantrums like a two year old when he's not given booze. In fact, maturity is a choice and is highly likely to be influenced by surrounding circumstances. I mean, people in the Philippines grow up to be pampered and coddled by their parents. This means it is not embarrassing or taboo to be 30 and still living under your parents' roof. I was that person too. Until I moved out here to the US where I realized at 27, I am still a baby. I have to be mature or at least act mature so as not to look dumb.
The second statement is also inaccurate. Those who are considered bed-ridden vegetables are but shells of real people with real lives. They are existing, albeit no longer living and have all gone to their tiny pieces of heaven without having their spirits cut off from the mortal world. Yet. It's like they are waiting for their number to be called so they could go into eternity.
Age really is just a number. I have seen an elderly resident putting on makeup and mascara and makes friendly flirtations with the guys. She calls me her little China doll and I playfully as her to prepare for our date. There is also an elderly guy who calls all the ladies baby, cause he says, I wanna take care o' all o'em! These exchanges are funny as hell when you meet them. And the laughter it brings them surely adds years to their lives.
It may seem weird seeing the elderly act like youngsters but truly, fascinating it is to see people with spirits that cannot be broken by time. Whose enthusiasm drowns out all the negativity in the world and replace it with a smile. I wish I will always have a spirit like that.
Three days ago, I worked with a patient who i expected would be b***h. Turned out to be one of the coolest grannies I've ever met. She is almost 90 and lives in an assisted living facility. She told me: nothing scares me honey. I have had three heart attacks, five strokes, a broken wrist, two broken hips, a broken rib cage and a broken leg and I am still raring to go! I always do what I set my heart into. I never consider myself old. My spare parts are beginning to break down but what the hell. I was skating at 75 years old!
Me: Is that why you broke your hip?
With a smile she replied: Yes. And I broke my wrist and ribs climbing up a tree, too. :-)
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