I don’t feel old.  Correction: I used not to feel old.  Now, I only feel my age on days that end in Y.

I should have seen it coming.  There were ample signs.  Some were subtle, others were less so — like a ball peen hammer upside the head.  Well duh!  Of course, you feel that way you are over 70!

For the benefit of those younger than me, I thought I’d share the signs I should have noticed.  

1. You need pill boxes to sort all your medications.  
2. Aching knees make noises and forecast the weather.
3. Snap Crackle Pop used to remind you of a breakfast cereal. Now, they are the sound effects you make getting out of bed each morning.
4. Haircuts don’t take as long.
5. Eyebrows need trimming (nose hairs too).
6. You wear socks with your sandals.
7. Naps are on your daily to-do list.
8. Your best sleep happens in your recliner.
9. Always asking if there is a senior discount.
10. Or always getting the senior discount without asking for it.
11. Shopping for clothes becomes all about comfort, not fashion.
12. Harder to lose weight.
13. Elastic is your friend.
14. You remember when gas used to be 25 cents/gallon.
15. You remember when your family had a party line telephone, and your phone number started with letters, like BU4-2907.
16. You rationalize that wrinkles are mere signs of character.  When that no longer works, you resort to bragging about having earned every one of them.
17. Your number of “ist” doctors increases.  Cardiologist, Urologist, Allergist, Orthopedist, Ophthalmologist, Dermatologist, Gastroenterologist, Oncologist.
18. Your greatest treasure is the memories you cherish.

The list could go on. I have noticed how I increasingly find joy in simple pleasures – like reading a good book, sitting on the porch listening to the soft rain, enjoying a crackling fire in the fireplace, and having long conversations with my children and grandchildren.  And prayer and solitude are no longer things I avoid but seek out.

But maybe the best sign of growing old is realizing that you are still alive because God is not finished with you yet.