Tomorrow’s another birthday and while it’s not a significant one, it still stands as a reminder that I’m ageing.
I think what’s particularly scary at the moment is Mum’s progress through the early stages of dementia.
Today was all about her constantly cancelled bloody bank card.
Yet again the bank has sent her a new PIN number which she has managed to type in wrong too many times.
We’ve got her shopping for her and she will no doubt visit the bank and lambast some poor man-child in the morning.
She’s ill and we don’t know why. Constant vomiting could be poor food hygiene, poor medication or just some bug she’s picked up.
What’s scary about all this is that I’m only two decades behind her.
On the plus side, genetically speaking, Dad and his Mum were both around ninety when they died and were both sharp as pins.
Mum’s side of the family were, and are, a bunch of underachieving, self opinionated fruitcakes who seem to fade away in their seventies. Good news for me, bad for Mum.
The kids think it’s hysterical that my age goes up into heady numbers but I’m actually grateful. My health is fine and mentally I’m still pretty much ‘with it’. I can work a full day but take a little longer to recuperate. I’m learning to work smart now rather than run around like a headless chicken.
The last year has been a step forward for me as a new layer of wisdom seems to have settled on my shoulders.
Folk can’t wind me up as much as they used to purely because I’ve met their type before. I’ve heard the excuses, seen the slyness and self serving behaviour before.
High blood pressure a year ago caused me to weigh things differently.
Gill, my better half, has always said I stress over things that don’t matter. Most crises work themseves out and most things aren’t worth the worry.
Walking, losing weight and not allowing things to stress me as been worth about thirty systole points.
After a traditional present and card opening session in the morning I hope to spend a relaxing day with the Missus and a nice tea with the kids in the evening.
But I don’t know what Gill’s got planned so I’ll have to wait and see.
On Tuesday evening I’ve volunteered to walk three or four miles to support the Tickled Pink Charity. The Boss (work not home) is walking with one of her managers and I said I’d tag along. I have a pink umbrella and will scratch together some more pink bits on the day. Pictures to follow. (Might make the local rag, you never know)
Wish me luck.
