LIFE AFTER 60: 11 KEY THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW
By Richard E. “Rick” Dennis CPP Managing Member Freelance Writer and Author June 13, 2020 © June 2020 All Rights Reserved GROWING OLD IS MANDATORY, ACTING OLD IS OPTIONAL Yes, I’m on the far side of 60, but that doesn’t mean it’s a sudden death experience or sentence. In fact, this Fall I’ll be 70 according to one of my two birth certificates. LOL According to my mothers negotiated birth certificate, whose deceased, she was way underage to have a child and my father was way over age to be having sex with a gal of my mothers age. In order to keep my father out of jail, a little finagling was orchestrated to conceal my exact birth year - from the family and the law. So much was the case in 1949. In fact my father was in the Army when I was conceived. Eventually, he served in the Korean War. On leave? Who knows I wasn’t born yet. LOL However, according to my actual Alabama birth records, I was born in 1950 and not 1951 as my second negotiated birth certificate signifies. Apparently the United States Department of Defense agreed with the State of Alabama because I received my reminder from the Draft Board to register at 17, in 1968 and due to my upcoming 18th birthday. How did they find me. Big brother knows all. LOL Later that same year and shortly after my registry with the Draft Board, my draft notice for induction into the U.S. Army and the Vietnam War shortly thereafter or after my 18th birthday in 1968. I was to report for Military duty on January 3, 1969. What happened afterwards is an explanation for another day. I served my country, as did all my relatives inducted, during the War, with honor, distinction and an honorable discharge two years later. The curious nature of my induction is: I served in the Vietnam War with two first cousins Roger Dale Curl and Steve Street. The curious oddity is: After our initial meeting at my aunt Mary’s house, in Shelby, Alabama - to sign our names in the family bible before our overseas deployment, we never saw each other again until we were all discharged, from the Army. Another oddity is that my first cousin Kathy Jeronowitz and her husband Jerry Jeronowitz served in the Navy during the same War. One fact is certain, I come from a long list of Military Veterans, before and after my service, and we’re a fighting bunch. Lol 11 CURIOUS QUESTIONS AND MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT BEING 60 AND OVER 1. The number one question, I’m always asked, is: “How’s sex after 60?” I have no earthly idea why people think sex disappears after you turn 60 and beyond. Perhaps it does for some, but not for me. Actually, I find sex more enjoyable on the far side of the 60 fence. In today’s pharmaceutical age there’s a pill for everything – what ales you and what doesn’t work as good as it used too. Satisfaction and gratification is only a short trip to the pharmacist with a prescription in hand. To keep this event a non-issue, one only has to stay in shape and take care of your health. Eat right, stay in shape, and don’t smoke. My Uncle Junior is a testament to that fact. After my uncle passed and was buried, my first cousin Mike and his wife Laura were doing the usual post-passing-cleanup, at his house, when they discovered that in just about every shirt pocket, ever pants pocket, every jacket pocket and in every one of his vehicles he had Viagara tablets stashed just in case the opportunity presented itself. Bear in mind my Uncle was in his mid 80’s when he passed. That’s the way I want to go out of this world. Uncle Junior is my mentor. Lol 2. Some people think your old after 60. I have a news flash for the younger generation. I still work 6 to 7 days a week and I work out at the gym, at least, 5 to 6 days a week with martial arts and boxing classes included with strength training and aerobics exercises. I still ride 5 to 6 head of horses a day during training season and I provide riding lessons on the weekend. Age is just a number, like any other number. It’s the mindset and taking care of yourself that matters most. As the old adage says, “I don’t want to go to the grave in a pristine body, I want to slide in it side ways with a body that’s worn out after I’ve used up every bit of talent God gave me. 3. One of the most disparaging concepts I see with people my age is: They actually think their old and on their way to the grave. You’re only as old as you think you are. For the record, I was 40 years old when I learned two new professions. How to fly high performance airplanes and how to train and ride high performance Reined Cow Horses. As the old adage states, “your only as old as you feel and you want to be.” A persons age is nothing more than a relative number and is of no consequence to actual health fitness. 4. Some people are under the misguided impression that life after 60 resides you to a wheel chair or the rocking chair on the front porch. Quite the opposite. As a matter of fact, I’m not in the shape that I was when I left boot camp, in the Army, or in the physical condition I was in when I was fighting on the law enforcement Karate team, but I can still run circles around the younger generation and do it on a regular basis. Another fact of life is: “I probably cant run a mile in the same time and with the same speed as I did in my younger years, but who cares. Haven’t you ever read the story of the Tortoise and the Hare. Slow and steady is more precise and enduring than fast and furious!” LOL 5. Another misconception is: “As you age, you automatically lose your faculties.” In some cases that may be true, but in my case I take precautions so that I can remember my name, where the bathroom is, and where I left my keys. Today, I’m doing as much mentally and creative as I’ve always done, probably more so. Over-the-years, I’ve discovered the key to mental health is to keep using your brain and feed it the right vitamins and minerals to extend longevity. As the old adage, “If you don’t use it, you’ll lose it.” Same adage applies to sexual interaction. LOL At my age, I’d rather have selective memory loss than actual memory loss caused by disease from not exercising my brain power, feeding it the right supplements, or not taking care of myself. 6. People think once your over 60 it’s time to retire. Retirement is an individual concept. For me retirement isn’t an option. I enjoy what I do and I enjoy the people I do it with. My philosophy is: I can die doing what I love doing or I can die laying on the sofa doing nothing. Either way, death is inevitable to all of us. No one is going to get out of this world alive. Oh, and those material items you cherish so much and you want to take with you when you die. I’ve never seen a hearse with a luggage rack. Why not make the best of your time here and have some fun doing it. Leave your prized possessions to family members or give them away. It’s your choice to make. Stop worrying about it. 7. People think you slow down and kinda slide in the grave towards the end. Sure, there are a lot of people who do. I’m not one of them. I’m doing more things and having more fun than ever. I’m having as much fun today as I did when I was in my 20’s, 40’s, or 50’s. Now that’s living life. 8. People think you long for the days you were 20. That’s a pure fallacy. When I was in my late teens and early twenties I was in the Army in the middle of a war. After, I was in another war for 16 years: As a Drug Enforcement Agent. Who wants to go back to the most stressful times of my life. A daily concentration on survival and not catching a bullet is very stressful. Thanks for thinking of me though. 9. People constantly ask me if I fear death. Death is a relative fact of life. Whether you fear it or not, it’s inevitable. I don’t want to dwell on death, I just want to accomplish as much as I can and have as much fund as I can before that inevitable day arrives. My most important aspect of death is: “I don’t want to have any regrets or missed opportunities before I leave.” I’m sure, the Lord and I will have a lot to discuss when that time arrives. But right now I’m still celebrating. LOL 10. I’ve heard it said, “Getting old isn’t for the faint of heart.” So I decided not to get old. Age is a relative number and in no manner should it dictate how you feel or act. Enjoy your life and let God take care of the rest. Stay in shape, eat the right foods, take the right vitamins, exercise as often as you can, don’t smoke, keep up with your mental health, and live life to the fullest. 11. I’ve found, the most important aspect of your life is: “To remain mentally stable, forever optimistic and keep your mind and body strong.” After all God designed our bodies as a perpetual machine. If you take care of it, it will take care of you. Stay active in your life, seek a medical professional to help you with what ales you. Never allow a contracted disease to dictate or control your life. There’s always ways around it. Remember, it’s mind over matter that’s the deciding factor, not the far side of the 60 fence. “Until Next Time, Keep Em Between The Bridle!”
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