GETTING OLDER

David Bentley

I was not in a good mood. You see, I’d come home late from a long day at work. I was tired; my joints hurt; and I was hungry. So I decided to prepare Brussels sprouts my favorite way by searing them in a little olive oil with onions and then steaming them in chicken broth. With some leftover chicken and a salad, my meal would be quick, delicious, and healthy.

While the veggies cooked, I took off my shoes and socks and changed into some comfortable clothing. Then, grabbing a plate, I arranged the chicken and salad next to each other and began to spoon up the Brussels sprouts. That’s when I felt a fiery sensation between the first and second toes on my left foot.

Holding the plate in one hand and the spoon in the other, I stared directly down at my feet; but I could see nothing that would be causing this pain. Using my right foot as a third hand, I tried to brush away any offending organism that might be down there. This action, however, sent my salad flying into the sink. So I quickly put the plate and spoon down, bent over from the waist, and inspected my toes with my right hand while adjusting my bifocals with my left hand.

None too soon, I discovered the culprit. A transparent and sticky piece of onion had adhered itself to the sides of my toes. Brushing it off quickly, I hobbled to the bathtub to get my foot under some cold, running water. When the pain subsided, I gingerly dried my foot off. There was a very red and tender spot on each toe, but no severe blistering.

Now, with my foot elevated and my meal consumed, I am reminded of the prophetic Hallmark™ greeting card I discovered, purchased, and mailed to a relative this week. On the front, with a picture of two slices of crispy bacon were these words: “Getting older is like frying bacon in the nude.” Inside, the analogy continued: “You know it’s going to hurt. You just don’t know where.”

How are you adjusting to the physical symptoms of getting older?

Do you find yourself “frying bacon in the nude” often?

Are you able to laugh when the cooked onion lands between your toes?

What will you do differently today as a result of getting older?