The Journey Ahead By Dr. Juan Harrison

My wife was trying to get me to put some of that baby-bottom smoothing smelly lotion on my dry hands and arms. Doing so could endanger my membership in the no-wives allowed coffee club down at the local fast food.  That’s not the worst of it for us mature fellas.  Every time I work outside, I end up with a spot looking like a red bruise, or worse yet, blood running down an elbow or between my fingers.  The doc already says I’m borderline anemic.  I promised to try not to cross that border.  It doesn’t hurt but it cuts back on handshakes.  It’s always a trip to have someone tell you that you’re bleeding, and you didn’t even know it.  Hate to be mistaken as a member of the Walking Dead.

Another area of contention is zippers.  When I dressed in the morning, I often didn’t zip my pants because as I neared retirement I started trying to conserve energy.  Why waste time when I knew I probably would need to go again as I walked past the hall bathroom going out the door.  Seems like my body has never met a bathroom it didn’t like.  The problem was I worked with a bunch of women, modest women.  My man custodian was my zipper monitor until he retired.  After that I was on my own.  They were usually too shy to tell me the barn door was open.  Maybe worse than that were Sundays.  I would teach Sunday School and then take up offering.  Same problem, same results.  Nothing like feeling foolish.  I’ve been thinking about maybe wearing sweatpants instead of slacks, but they might clash with my sports coat.  Oh well, maybe I made someone smile.  I have become my own grandpa.  Laugh or you will cry.

Sometimes my memory drives me crazy.  Ever looked for something, and it was in your hand all along.  Maybe your glasses or shades are hidden on your head.  You misplace keys, checkbook, billfold, purse, Bible and so on.  How about driving down the street and suddenly forgetting where you were going.  You momentarily panic and finally you remember before you pass your destination.  I’ve missed it before and had to come back.  Each time I’m reminded of my mortality and just laugh.  I’ve tried getting aggravated, but it didn’t help.

Our bodies and minds have served us well.  While I’m still alert I wonder how I’ll handle the red light that becomes flashing yellow then green.  I marvel at the brain, an amazing computer, that acts like a traffic cop telling us to stop or go, zip or unzip.  I need to be a little kinder to my old body and mind which have helped me live an amazing life.  I’ll try to cut them some slack as faux pas becomes more frequent.  It’s a reminder to get ready for our  new body and mind that will never fail us.

By Dr. Juan Harrison