The view from here
Stepping aside
As the years go by, I can’t help but notice the number of young people in responsible positions in our society. It really makes me feel my age and I’m not so sure I am enjoying it. It’s probably all relative to where I am in my life cycle, but I remember when the family doctor was a wizened older man with a kindly disposition, a white jacket with a stethoscope around his neck and the question, “And how are we feeling today?”
I would keep my wisecracks to myself but think, “I don’t know about you, Doc, but I feel pretty crummy.” I was polite back then, respecting my elders as I was taught. But today I am the elder and feel I am the one that should be respected. I know, lots of luck with that.
Now the doctor comes into the exam room after the nurse has taken all my information, both of them by the way, looking like they might be heading out for an evening of hijinks once five o’clock rolls around. Her skin is young and firm and unlined. He looks like he’s been to the “manscaper,” from his head with every hair in place to his tasseled loafers. He looks like he just stepped from a fashion magazine.
Remember when we were told the policeman is your friend? I’m still okay with that, it’s just that he seems so young! More of a policeboy – he’s someone I feel could be more of a grandson that I should be protecting.
How about the clergyman? Where did he go? Now it’s more often a clergywoman, neither of whom have enough life experience to see me through my latest crises. I’ll just figure it out for myself, thank you. It would be like me telling my grandmother how to deal with a major upset in her life when I really don’t have a clue because I haven’t walked in her shoes – yet.
But now I have traveled her path and she’s long gone, but maybe there is someone, younger than me, that could benefit from lo, these many years of experience!
So there’s the answer. It’s time for my years of accumulated wisdom to come into play. I’m sitting here with all my smarts just waiting to dole out answers to life’s questions. Or at least point in the right direction. Like what’s-his-name in the movie “City Slickers,” who simply held up one finger, indicating you pretty much had to find your own answers. Jack somebody. Palance. Whew, that came quicker than usual!
I can’t see that I will ever be referred to as a wise old lady, especially by my son-in-law, but these years should count for something. If nothing else, maybe one day my grandkids will say, “Grandma used to say...” or “Grandma taught me...”
In the meantime, I’ll share my thoughts with friends my age, certain they will understand where I’m coming from when I ask if they agree with me that the new dentist doesn’t look old enough to be poking around in my mouth. Or heaven forbid, the gynecologist, male or female, no matter, is asking me very personal questions that I think they shouldn’t even know such things about.
I guess it’s time for me to put my faith in the younger generation, that they are well-enough educated to treat whatever ails me, with a bit of respect for an old lady that could darn near be their grandmother. That thought alone probably, as they say, creeps them out.
I would keep my wisecracks to myself but think, “I don’t know about you, Doc, but I feel pretty crummy.” I was polite back then, respecting my elders as I was taught. But today I am the elder and feel I am the one that should be respected. I know, lots of luck with that.
Now the doctor comes into the exam room after the nurse has taken all my information, both of them by the way, looking like they might be heading out for an evening of hijinks once five o’clock rolls around. Her skin is young and firm and unlined. He looks like he’s been to the “manscaper,” from his head with every hair in place to his tasseled loafers. He looks like he just stepped from a fashion magazine.
Remember when we were told the policeman is your friend? I’m still okay with that, it’s just that he seems so young! More of a policeboy – he’s someone I feel could be more of a grandson that I should be protecting.
How about the clergyman? Where did he go? Now it’s more often a clergywoman, neither of whom have enough life experience to see me through my latest crises. I’ll just figure it out for myself, thank you. It would be like me telling my grandmother how to deal with a major upset in her life when I really don’t have a clue because I haven’t walked in her shoes – yet.
But now I have traveled her path and she’s long gone, but maybe there is someone, younger than me, that could benefit from lo, these many years of experience!
So there’s the answer. It’s time for my years of accumulated wisdom to come into play. I’m sitting here with all my smarts just waiting to dole out answers to life’s questions. Or at least point in the right direction. Like what’s-his-name in the movie “City Slickers,” who simply held up one finger, indicating you pretty much had to find your own answers. Jack somebody. Palance. Whew, that came quicker than usual!
I can’t see that I will ever be referred to as a wise old lady, especially by my son-in-law, but these years should count for something. If nothing else, maybe one day my grandkids will say, “Grandma used to say...” or “Grandma taught me...”
In the meantime, I’ll share my thoughts with friends my age, certain they will understand where I’m coming from when I ask if they agree with me that the new dentist doesn’t look old enough to be poking around in my mouth. Or heaven forbid, the gynecologist, male or female, no matter, is asking me very personal questions that I think they shouldn’t even know such things about.
I guess it’s time for me to put my faith in the younger generation, that they are well-enough educated to treat whatever ails me, with a bit of respect for an old lady that could darn near be their grandmother. That thought alone probably, as they say, creeps them out.