I think that you have to be in your 80’s before you get used to getting old. It takes a while. So, in that respect, I have arrived.

Every morning, at around 6 a.m., when I limp into Hogan’s Hut to get the paper and the staff says: “Good morning, Mr. Kidder!”–I realize that my gait and gray hair have given me seniority. It is a part of getting used to being old.

Of course, when I meet with old friends there is also that constant reminder. Someone is getting a new knee, someone else is getting used to their new hip, others are seeing an oncologist or orthopedist for various illnesses and ailments.

Ah, welcome to the golden years!

Yet, no complaints. Not only is there no alternative, it is what is supposed to be. As Yogi Berra might have said: “Getting old is a part of being old.”

For the younger generation, I can also assure you that your mobility and energy is also highly regarded by those of my age.

The other day, I had a small part that I had ordered to fix my car. But, installing it meant that I had to bend over, almost get on my knees, and kink my head sideways in order to get it attached. After a first and failed try, I took it to a young friend, a “car guy,” who fixed it in just a couple of minutes. Thanks to younger people who can still fix things!

Getting used to getting old, however, does not mean that you can become complaisant. You may think that once you are retired, you don’t have to worry as much about discipline. The opposite is the truth…you need to be more disciplined. You need to learn to live within your ability or, more aptly, within your inabilities.

There are compensations, of course. You can enjoy and spoil grandchildren. You can pontificate about the great lessons of life that you have learned. You can read more books and articles than ever before, and your phone calls usually last more than two minutes.

In the winter, another pastime for people my age is the routine of assembling jig saw puzzles. I never knew how effective they were at killing time and staying busy until I started doing them. Staying active in one way or the other is important, even if it means lining up shapes and colors that have been cut into a thousand pieces for the purpose of having them put back together again.

My wife has always been more inclined than me to going out and socializing. Winter weather now gives me another argument for staying at home. There is nothing like hunkering around the fire on a cold winter night with a couple of dogs to keep you company and putting your feet up with a book in your hands…getting old provides a good excuse to do that. So, old age does have its advantages.

There is nothing bad about getting old…you just have to adapt and get used to it!

Rolland Kidder is a Stow resident.