JOIN USCaught off guard!
One is never prepared for the OLD AGE. For most other milestones in one’s life it is possible to be ready, at least to some extent, but not for this one. It creeps on one, stealthily. And once there, it stays!
Even death, which of course is the ultimate…. it is possible to be ready for it. The Christians have the best preparation for it. They prepare for it by summoning the priest, confessing their sins and asking him to give them pardon in the name of God. Once that is done the way is clear. You can stop breathing any time you want and you will be welcomed at the Pearly Gates.
We, Hindus have a most wishy-washy way of trying to be prepared. Our priests do not play much of a part. It is left to your near and dear to gather around you and intone the holy names, very loudly. Names which were so lovely to hear now sound melancholic and are enough to frighten you to death… which perhaps is the whole idea. But now for the onset of old age. Today you feel frisky enough to attempt a marathon… but tomorrow you wake up feeling lethargic and lazy.
The prospect of getting up and the whole paraphernalia feels intolerable! At first you turn around and cozily re- burrow into the blankets. But sooner or later you have to get up. And there is good old old age is ready to welcome you to its intolerable domain.
It starts off with twinges which you brush aside impatiently but they do not go away. They sometimes settle into a regularity which is not only painful but force you to go searching for your doctor.
He, who till now has been ever powerful enough to drive away the bogies now hums and haws and uses words which threaten to be used very often, murmurs “old age maladies”.
That is the death knell for any future reprieve. Every complaint you have, goes into the category of old age symptoms. Put up with them, old friend. They are here to stay
There is no particular age for old age to overwhelm you. You may be, till then a vigorous 60 but suddenly old age claims you. But once 70 is passe there is little hope. You are a victim of old age.
A usual concomitant is wobbly feet. You, who have always been, till then, steady on your feet, now feel as if they are “cottonish” in texture. They do not support you faithfully.
There are a couple of tumbles which you may laughingly dismiss as result of being careless, but your loving and ever vigilant family is not on your side! They look upset and start using a word which will come up often in the future. “THE WALKING STICK” not only the word but also the thing itself
appears. You look at it curiously and even slightly fearfully. Surely I am not expected to carry this around. Yes, you are, old friend.Always and every where.