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Cheering up
the old ones
I have always dreaded old age. I cannot imagine anything worse than
being old...How awful it must be to have nothing to do all day long but stare at
the walls or watch TV. So last week, when the President suggested we all
celebrate Senior Citizen Week by cheering up a senior citizen, I decided to do
just that. I went to call on my new neighbor, an elderly retired gentleman,
recently widowed, who, I presumed, had moved in with his married daughter
because he was too old to take care of himself. I baked a batch of brownies and
without bothering to call (some old people can't hear the phone), I went off to
brighten his day.
When I rang the doorbell this old guy answered. He was about as
ancient and decrepit as Donny Osmond.
"I'm sorry I can't invite you in," he said when I introduced myself,
"but I'm due at the Racquet Club at two, which is in ten minutes. I'm playing
in the semifinals today."
"Oh that's all right," I said. "I baked you some brownies..."
"Great!" he said, snatching the box, "Just what I need for bridge club
tomorrow! Thanks so much!"
"You're welcome. Well I'll just trot across the street and call on
Granny Grady."
"Don't bother," he said. "Gran's not home. I know because I just
called to remind her of our date to go dancing tonight. She may be at the beauty
shop. She mentioned at breakfast that she had an appointment for a tint job."
I went home and called my Mother's cousin, age 83. She was in the
hospital -- working in the gift shop.
I called my aunt, age 74. She was on vacation in China.
I called my husband's uncle, age 79. I forgot; he was on his
honeymoon.
I still dread old age, now more than ever. I just don't think I'm up
to it.
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