Then I Became One of Them

   You’ve probably seen it happen. Several older people get together and the first thing you know they’re talking about their aches and pains. Comparing what their doctors are telling them. Discussing what pharmaceuticals they’re taking, and the grisly details of their latest surgeries, etc., etc. It’s like they don’t have anything else going on in their lives to talk about. 
    When I was younger and witnessed this happening I thought, My goodness, are their lives really that boring, or lacking in anything interesting? 
    Then I became one of them (I know, it surprised me too)- - - not that I spend much time discussing my physical condition with anyone, but my level of empathy with those that do, has risen considerably. 
   As I get older, I’ve come to the realization that the human body gradually wears out. Muscles weaken, cartilage gets thin or in some cases becomes nonexistent. Arthritis shows up in the most unwelcome places, and bursitis tends to develop in joints and muscles. This leads to the loss of comfort. Keep in mind that the above is from a non-medical person. The only thing I know is that the body gets crotchety. That diagnosis may not be in any of your medical journals. 
    The things I’ve listed above are just the uncomfortable things that happen to the body. I’m not even talking about the really serious life threatening or terminal things that happen to our bodies as they age. 
    Now, back to why older people talk about their aches and pains, and most other personal medical things. I believe that people like to talk about what they know, and believe me older people know about their bodies and what’s happening. The discomfort/pain has a way of focusing the attention. Also, I believe that knowing that we’re not alone in having a body that is betraying us is some comfort in itself. 
    So, young people, (anyone under 65) be patient with us. It may sound like all we know is what’s happening to our bodies, but we’ve been there, and returned, and obviously survived. So, if you need advice on how to do the same, just ask. You would be surprised on how much perspective our extra years of living life’s experiences have given us.