Growing old.
Earlier tonight, as I read the newspaper, I started thinking about how miserable it must be to grow older. The thought of turning 30, 40, 50 or even 60 doesn’t bother me, but everything from 60+ does. I watch my grandparents open up their newspaper reluctantly, as they are always afraid to find out which of their friends or acquaintances has passed. Even their emails are depressing, as they receive word that yet another person they know has come down with something- usually a major illness like cancer. It breaks my heart and saddens me because honestly, after you reach a certain age, it is as though the only thing staring you down day to day is yours and your friends impending deaths.
And that isn’t even the scariest part of growing old to me. Yes, death is saddening and very hard to cope with. But so is the fact that my 73 year old grandmother has to research everything EVERY DAY just so that doctors do not take advantage of people like herself when she or my grandfather go in for the routine check ups. How sad it must be to realize that because of your age and trusting nature, that doctors find ways to take advantage of you. Not all doctors do this, but too many of them do, and they pray upon those individuals (e.g. my grandfather).
I only hope that as I grow older, I have my wits about me like my grandmother. Whether she is researching the best possible Medicare supplement insurance, a new diagnosis from the doctors or medications- she always is on top of the game. I love you, Grandma. And yes, I totally complimented you- so go ahead and gloat!
2 Responses to “Growing old.”
By Candace on Jun 14, 2009 | Reply
I am going through this exact same thing right now. My Grandmother passed away from cancer in August and now my Grandpa is sick in the hospital. Luckily my Mom and her sister are doing everything they can to make sure he is taken care of and no one is taking advantage of him. It’s really sad how a lot of those late night infomercials are targeting the elderly as well.
By emmysuh on Jun 16, 2009 | Reply
It is so hard, and it’s hard to deal with as a young person too, watching your parents and grandparents grow older and become more debillated. I lost both of my grandfathers in the past year, and that was sad enough, but watching my mom deal with her loss was even more devastating because she lost her father whom she’d lived an entire life with.
Ugh. So sad. I can’t think about it anymore, but good post, Jess!