Io accompanied a friend who needed some assistance to a doctor visit with a female dermatologist this past week. My friend had a few skin lessons that concerned her. The doctor looked them over and treated two with nitrogen in places where clothing irritates them. For several others the doctor called them “maturing skin spots.” My friend and I both laughed and we teased the doctor a bit about avoiding age discrimation with the delicate change in terminology from “age spots” to ” maturing skin spots.” She said, “Well, no one wants to hear “it’s just an age spot!” We laughed and agreed. I remember when an orthopedist I consulted told me my neck pain was mild degeneration of discs, which is normal “for my age!” It was the first time I heard those words from a doctor, but it has been repeated now several times with various issues. Never a happy thing to hear…..
I had noticed that just after my 68th birthday recently a black -blue spot appeared on my forearm that had no tenderness. I watched it for several days, then realized it was just a small bruise that eventually faded. Then this week I had another small bruise about the size of a blueberry farther down near my wrist and a small scab, apparently from a bump against something…. nether of which I could remember doing. I realized that my skin is getting thin and fragile, easily scraped and bruised. ( photo below) .Just add that to the list of things normal “for my age” now…..
When my friend and I got out of the dermatology office we had another good laugh, actually more like school girl giggles all the way to the car, and played around with some other euphemisms for signs of aging.
Today as I stood outside church a couple exited and when I asked him how he’s doing he said, “well, I reached the age of maturity this week.” I said, “Andcwhat age IS the age of maturity?” He replied “Chronologically for me it’s 75, but psychologically I’m about 13….. ” Knowing what a valued and sound voice of wisdom he is in our church I asked ” snd what is your spiritual age? About that of Methuselah?” We chuckled. If you can’t enjoy and laugh about your age, you’ve gotten old in the most tragic way…. in your heart. When Bill and I were 20-somethings, we had a guest speaker in our Sunday School class , a well-known and loved octogenarian in our church who spoke to our group about aging she was witty, articulate, and fun. She said, “My body obviously belies the fact that I am 87, but in my heart I am still 18!” I have always remembered her take on aging and have never been insecure or secretive about my age. Every day lived is a blessing.
Proverbs 31:25….. Strength and dignity are her clothing and she laughs at the things to come.”