Scariest thoughts and words have begun coming out of my mouth….”we’re at that age….” you know, the “age” we scoffed at when we were in our 20’s living on top of the world…you know, when we could see our toes when looking down a lean frame and even touch them while bending over with ease….body parts didn’t sag….being close to a bathroom wasn’t a necessity unless we were partying to our hearts content or beyond….and probably most concerning is  noting that all my healthcare providers are now the ages of our children….being a “senior” definitely seems to have arrived by all appearances and quite frankly–I’m not ready. I’m not feeling it.

In a previous blog I wrote about my husband’s heart attack that happened January 31. The experience has given us wake up calls, a new level of gratitude, and a list of changes to our lifestyle–mainly nutrition and exercise. Today, my good husband attended his cardio rehabilitation orientation meeting and I tagged along. As I sat in the room full of exercise equipment I found myself making several observations.

• You know how workout gyms have mirrors on every wall? I think that’s so wanna be gorgeous athletes can admire themselves while lifting weights or making sure cute tight workout clothes are accentuating all the right curves. There’s one mirror in the rehab room. I think most people use it to comb their hair or put on lipstick.
• Speaking of cute tight workout clothes that young gals wear so well? Not the case. What I saw were comfy leggings or capris…sweatpants…jeans…

Curves are still there, but well, let’s be honest…the curves have taken on new twists and turns…

• Adorable pony tails or neatly braided hair seem to be popular with young women who are breaking out in a sweat. The only pony tail I saw today was that of a guy who probably came out of the tail end of the hippie era…his pony tail was neatly tucked in the band of his cap…all gray hair, too.
• While most of the gyms are filled with teens and young adults, this place obviously caters to the “over 50 crowd”…only the rehab technicians are young enough to be our kids…

Today was a good experience. We were treated well with great kindness and respect. I can tell already that the folks who come to rehab several times a week are sort of a family. I guess that’s bound to happen considering we were reminded that my husband will attend sessions for 18 weeks–2 to 3 times a week…that’s a lot of work with a lot of people connecting.

Today I met “Miss Esther”. She’s 91 and all of 4’4”. I loved her spunk, her smile, her honesty wondering why she’s “still here”. “Miss DeeDee” was the one to speak up and remind her that “God has a plan for you Esther; he’s got a plan for each one of us”….loved Miss Esther’s response…”Well, the devil’s scared of me and God isn’t ready for me yet I guess”.

Yup, no fancy wall to wall mirrors. No young strong athletic bodies roaming the room from machine to machine. Merely one mirror, two TVs in opposite corners, monitoring equipment for each patient…all there to care for those of us who are “at that age”…and you know what? We’re thankful we’ve made it this far with much more life to live ahead of us!…aged curves…gray hair and all.