Stories from the Stringam Family Ranches of Southern Alberta

From the 50s and 60s to today . . .



Friday, April 24, 2015

Age Perks


I’m old.
He’s a little older.
We’re happy.
When we married, nearly 39 years ago, I looked into his hazel eyes and thought, “All I want to do is grow old with you.”
It’s happened.
We’ve had triumphs: Kids and grandkids. Family. Work accomplishments. Good health. Peace and freedom.
We’ve had tragedies: Kids and grandkids. Family. Work setbacks. Health problems. Disharmony and shackles.
But we’ve shouldered on. Through good times and bad.
Just in case you are thinking, “Oh, my word, is she going to wade through an exposition of My Wonderful Life?” let me reassure you.
You’re not far wrong.
Because this is my usual long-winded way of getting to a story . . .
I’ve hit the wonderyears that we affectionately call mid-life.
Where nothing in my physical self seems to behave the way it used to.
The way it should.
My nights are spent vacillating between shedding and/or cocooning in my blankets. At times, both. As some parts freeze and others parboil.
Sigh.
Last night, I discovered one of the joys of growing older with someone else.
You have to know that Husby and I used to leap happily into bed without doing much more than donning PJs, scrubbing teeth and saying prayers.
Now, our evening routine is a litany of age-defying/life-augmenting practices. Ending with my careful application of wrinkle-reducing face creams and his donning of his sleep-apnea mask.
I must admit – we are quite a sight. Darth Vader meets Slime-Faced girl.
I see a horror movie in there somewhere.
Back to my story . . .
Last night, the-play-that-has-consumed-our-lives-since-January opened (more about that in a later post) and I was particularly keyed up.
Awake at 3 AM. Music from the play blasting through my mind. Blankets on. Blankets off. Turn to one side. Turn to the other. Blankets on. Blankets off. Face up. Face down.
You’ve totally been there.
Meanwhile, Husby was peacefully snoozing. His machine breathing quietly.
He rolled over to face me, and my poor overheated self was suddenly enveloped in a soft, cooling breeze.
I looked up at the window, but it was as it had been. Not really doing its part to alleviate anyone’s (ie. my) discomfort.
I turned back to Husby. Then I held out a hand in front of his face.
Ah! The lovely little breeze was emanating from the exhaust port in his mask.
I laid back, smiling, and let the cool air get in its wondrous work.
Soon, I was comfortable and cocooned once more.
You have to know that growing older definitely has its drawbacks.
But growing older with someone else yields definite perks.
Plan accordingly.

16 comments:

  1. 'Slime faced girl and Darth Vader'....what a hoot.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You should meet them. They're quite the party couple . . .

      Delete
  2. Age does have it's perks and I relate to this one. Sometimes I roll over and check to see if he is still breathing. How I love my man; like you do yours. Thanks for the smile today~

    ReplyDelete
  3. Yes, indeed; as usual, you are right on the money. And as you sometimes do, you called my tear ducts into action ...

    Good luck with the play! I hope we get a post or three on it (she said hopefully) ...

    ReplyDelete
  4. that was just lovely - in amongst all the not-so-fabulous parts of getting older, there is always a golden nugget or two - or a cool breeze to help you sleep!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Golden old age nuggets. They're a good thing . . .

      Delete
  5. The story made me so happy! My husband and I will be celebrating 25 years together in September, and my greatest wish is that there's at least 25 more. Now if I could only get him to go in for that sleep apnea test...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 25?! Well done!
      Sleep apnea? Do it! It changed both of our lives! :)

      Delete
  6. what a bonus! A cool breeze right next to your face.
    I used to turn on the pedestal fan, even in winter, when I got too hot I'd throw off the quilt and the fan would cool me until I nearly froze, then I'd snuggle under again and fall asleep.

    Little girl: "grandma what are you putting on your face?"
    Grandma:"wrinkle cream, dear"
    Little girl: "why do you want more wrinkles? You have so many already."

    ReplyDelete
  7. One of my greatest wishes is to come to one of your plays! I can't wait to hear all about it! One day when all is over I may run away to join you...although I'll stay in the back thanks! It's perfect when it's right isn't it. We are both lucky women, except I'm in the doghouse right now. I called the hubby "Poochie Bear in front of his coworker, he wasn't amused,,,his co worker sure was though!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There is a seat reserved! Poochie Bear?! I called my Husby Honey Bunny in front of his co-worker. Who then confessed that he, too, is a honey bunny.

      Delete
  8. Who knew that Darth Vader was such a catch! I can't believe how fast this week has gone by - I am so far behind again reading blogs, but it is fun to read a bunch of your posts all at one time! My cheeks are starting to hurt from smiling :) Hope your week is wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sorry about the cheeks. But so grateful that you are here! I hope your week is wonderful as well! :)

      Delete

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