Growing Older: On Turning Seventy-six

On By Lois RoelofsIn aging, faith, God, Health, memoir, writing

The sobering thing for me about turning 76 is that I’m getting closer than ever to 80. Eighty! My head tells me I’m 29, my body says 99 on some days, and the me that’s hanging around between these two ages is now on the way to 80.

The most joyful thing about turning 76 is that the song from The Music Man, Seventy-Six Trombones, comes to mind whenever I say the number. I never saw the musical, but a professor was trying to inspire a town that they could have a large band. The lyrics and marching band do inspire! Enjoy here. I have a hunch the tune may linger in my head as I march through this year.

The least joyful thing about turning 76 is thinking about what inevitably will change for the worst. Phone calls, emails, and the news every day signal those changes. Did you hear…?

I try not to ponder negatives; I have much for which to be thankful: a warm home in this arctic Midwest winter, plenty of food, friends and family who care, the ability to walk, and the ability to appreciate all my senses…I can read my favorite books, listen to classical (or country!) music, enjoy chocolate chip cookies, identify aromas coming from the oven, and differentiate a nickel from a quarter when placed in my hands…all things I’ve taken for granted in the past, but now not so much.

Mostly, I’m thankful for new friends. You may recall that before we moved to Sioux Falls from Chicago a year and a half ago, my granddaughter, then 6, when I told her we were moving to live near her, asked, “But what about your friends?” I thought that question was perceptive at her young age. I’d told her that leaving my friends in Chicago would be the hardest part of our move.

Well, last night, I was babysitting this now 8-year-old, and she asked, while we were concentrating on a 200-piece puzzle, “Do you have friends now, Grandma?” I was taken aback, so I asked if she remembered our talk from before. She said yes because “It’s important to have friends.” Her 6-year-old brother chimed in, “It’s hard to make friends. Yes, it is.”

In my answer, I didn’t launch into what I did to make some friends, but I know she would understand that you have to work at it. People do not show up at your door and ask you to be their friend. Especially not in a small city where many people are related and/or have friends from childhood.

mom and daughter

But now between OLLI classes, church contacts, and neighbors, plus, of course, our daughter and family, I have met lots of people and both my husband and I are feeling more and more like Sioux Falls is home. So, on turning 76 (trombones...), I can say I’m grateful to be here. And trust that God will continue to, in the words of a favorite song, lead me, guide me, along the way on this road toward 80.

 

 

 

 

 

20 thoughts on “Growing Older: On Turning Seventy-six”

  1. Shirley Diemer's avatar Shirley Diemer

    Congratulations, Lois! You passed the half-way mark to 80! I can say I love being 81 even tho I still feel like I am only in my 50s or so. Enjoy reading your posts. We are doing well in AZ now that Harm has his legs back!! Shirley

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  2. lois roelofs's avatar lois roelofs

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Lois! Embrace it, and enjoy your celebration with your lovely family!!! Stay warm… those candles on cake will help! 😉

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  4. Cynthia Sander's avatar Cynthia Sander

    Amazing how what once seemed ancient now feels almost young! Growing older is not really so bad (except for creaking bones!). You’ve captures the process perfectly.

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  5. Happy birthday and wishes for a healthy and joyful year ahead, Lois. I am so glad our story lines have crossed through blogging. I smiled big as I read your post because they sounded like my words that I haven’t written yet. I had a shock a week or so ago when Jim corrected me – that I will be 74 this year. I lost a couple of years along the way, but who’s counting anyway.

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    1. Thanks, Pat. I think the notion of being in one’s 70s is so foreign that it’s hard to relate. On our recent Aruba trip, I did, however, proudly announce to the security enforcers that “I am 75” when they stopped me in the line to tell me to take off my shoes!

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  7. Lois, you have certainly made the most of your move to Sioux Falls. I have no doubt you will continue to connect to many friends as you settle into your new home. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this journey into aging many of us are experiencing along with you.

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  9. Many days I have felt the exact same way as you describe – mind young, body not soooo much. However, I have also found that drawing on my experience of successfully handling tough situation has taught me that being older is a valuable commodity. Realizing that I really can accomplish what I set out to do gives me confidence to try new things, even if my achy, old body doesn’t always agree.

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