Turning 65
When I turned 65, I was shocked to see how many people were interested in my birthday. In fact, the U. S. Department of Health & Human Services seemed to think I needed to be reminded of the upcoming milestone. Approximately three months prior to my birthday, I received a "Welcome to Medicare" brochure. Since I believed this to be important, I marked my calendar for the date I needed to respond to their notice.
Well, when I reached 65 and was basking in the accolades received from family, friends and colleagues. I stood proudly, filled with a sense of dignity relating to my achievements as a "seasoned citizen." Age 65 was like a freedom bell ringing but it rang only for a short period of time. Someone will always rain on your parade if you allow him or her. Well I just had a little drizzle in the form of the "Welcome to Medicare" brochure. For your future information, by U.S. Postal Mail, Internet, television, the government has a way of sending you a subliminal message of telling you that you are now old, and if you want to make it to 66 you have to do what they tell you to do. They become relentless. As my sense of control seems to slip away I continue to fight emotionally, mentally and in some areas physically adjusting to being 65. While the government is moving me forward I get lost trying to figure out where the last forty years have gone--and remembering what day it is without asking someone.
We, the government and I, figured out that I did not need prescription coverage or Part D as they call it. But instead of rewarding me for reaching 65 by sending a little congratulatory check, they attempt to instill fear in me by announcing penalties for non-compliance in filling out their forms. They should have realized reaching 65 was no easy feat.
Now there is another side to turning 65 and it messes with your common sense. As a retired professional I had pride in having common sense, and as the saying goes, it is not so common to have common sense. Well, here is the situation. I rented a car for several weeks. Upon returning the rental car and making the final payment, I incurred a slight problem. The individual that was assisting me was an attractive, very young lady, somewhere between 20 and 25 years of age. As I passed the key over the counter I requested my final tally. For the next several minutes everything was a blur. She spoke so fast that all I could do was put up my hand like a school crossing guard to stop her. I asked if there was someone else I could speak with. She stormed off and a few minutes later a young man emerged, slightly older. Just when I thought I was about to complete my business and escape any further nonsense, the young man stated: "I'm . . . . glad . . . I . . . was . . . able . . . to . . . talk . . . slower . . . for . . . you." I could not believe it; had I entered another dimension where dumb and dumber resided? Does turning 65 mean you have to keep telling people you are old, not stupid?
Oh I have more. I had no regrets about turning 65. It was a blessing to be alive. However, something happens to other people in your life when you are 65, not them. God forbid you should speak about sex. I had to remind my children how they got here. I tried to ease their pain by saying I was not looking for a sexual relationship but I enjoy talking about it. That didn't work either.
Now on the philosophical side, turning 65 brings a deep truthfulness to your life and an abundance of humor. You are able to laugh at yourself before anyone else knows it's funny. For example, one day my son saw me looking all around my bedroom. Of course, he asked what was I looking for? I politely replied my TV remote. He then said, "It's in your left hand." Now, I could have responded with not this remote or something else stupid, after all I am his mother. Please, the reality was I was caught in the act of temporary mindlessness. I immediately started laughing at myself and could not stop for several minutes.
Traveling at 65 was also worth noting. I had to take Amtrak to Buffalo, NY because of the unexpected death of a family member. I was very stressed. I got on the wrong train. I had simply just followed the crowd, settled in and was putting my luggage away when a passenger asked me how far I was going. I replied Buffalo, NY and she responded, "Oh, my dear, this train is headed for New York City. It was like an old movie, everyone yelling "Stop the train." Well, luckily they had not pulled out too far from the station and I could walk back through the connecting cars to get back to the depot. I did make it to my destination later that evening. I know you are thinking, of course, things like that happen, she was stressed and it is understandable. Truth time, remember I had just turned 65 and anything goes. What happened to me previously was an encounter with a man. Now I am talking about a total stranger who five minutes before the train mishap had given me a wonderful compliment on how I was dressed. I am a widow and I don't hear the kind of compliment that was given to me often. So, I own the fact that it distracted me and that is why I got on the wrong train. Of course, I told everyone in Buffalo that it was due to stress, like I said I was getting older, not stupid.
So, I welcomed 65 and remained grateful. I can see (with the assistance of eyeglasses), I can walk (sometimes with a cane), I can hear (when I want to) and speak (more often than I should) and most important, I can feel all the love I inherited as I traveled my journey to age 65.
That was almost four years ago; soon I will be turning 69. The only thing I equate that with is it's the last of my sixties and I will soon have to write and tell you about my adventures turning 70.
Keywords: Birthday Wishes, Birthday Greetings, Turning 65
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Turning 65