It’s Not

I have attempted to follow all the well publicized rules about aging gracefully.

Okay, to be honest, most of them, because in my heart of hearts, I wonder if the entire concept is a possibility.

It is a lot harder than anyone realizes until you try it.

But yes, I am and will continue to try as long as the Good Lord allows.

I exercise daily. (well almost)

I try (and occasionally fail) to maintain a healthy diet

I read both the NYT and The NY Post daily and occasionally spice up the menu with a quick iPad visit to news of the Royal family, both in the UK and Monaco

I make an effort to be more sociable although I admit I rarely succeed.

I TRY to limit my daily computer time but find myself then adding more foreign films to stream on Netflix.

And yes, I have watched Spencer.

So you can understand while I am not a total success I do deserve a minimal credit for effort.

However on this memorable Thanksgiving of 2021 I quickly realized I have fallen back rapidly from the challenging world of today.

While enjoying the hospitality, warmth and love of a family Thanksgiving meal, I watched one of my three amazing daughters in law, prepare the mashed potatoes.

I am impressed more each day with her ability to juggle life, family and maintain her creative talents. So her culinary expertise in preparing the traditional holiday meal was not a surprise.

However, my viewpoint changed instantly as the phone rang and she quickly paused mashing the potatoes to answer it on her wrist.

From the shackles of age, I immediately feared, “She needs help.”

But when I heard another voice reply, also from the joint below her elbow, I wondered if it could be I hallucinating.

After my hostess returned to preparing the mashed potatoes, I could not resist timidly asking:

“Did you just speak to someone from your arm?”

Turning away from the kitchen, she replied.

‘Yes, I love my Smartwatch. Do you have one?”

Instantly, I knew rather than aging gracefully, I was having far more difficulty than I had ever feared.

Especially because I could only think of Tess Trueheart and Dick Tracy.

But, yes, I will keep trying.