Chronicles of Nana

I can not believe I have entered the exciting realm of senior citizenhood! Puzzling as it is ( and it is that..) I am adjusting with a minimum of scorn. Actually, it is quite nice to burp, blow or whatever and have no one give any notice. There is a measure of respect for us ole folks that I find liberating and satisfying…sort of a right of passage thing or an entitlement! I am still not “of age” yet..not qualified for medicare which is sort of like not being old enough to join the real world. But as I see the world today.. I am not holding my breath to really be part of it!! In any case, I am kept young by caring for my 4 year old granddaughter who occupies most of my time at least 3-5 days a week. I also indulge myself with crocheting baby blankets, though my hands hurt at times. I spend a portion of the day on my computer researching genealogies which has become a passion for me. I have a partner in crime- my cousin in Pennsylvania who has been researching for years. She and I can burn the Internet all day and “gen-talk” twice as long on the telephone.

SENIOR MOMENTS…

I am trying to figure out the passage of time. Seems like yesterday I was chasing my five kids..and now they all are taller than me. Of course, everyone is taller nowadays! My current saying is …” The first half of your life is spent using, abusing and stressing your body…when you become 60 the body takes over and gets even.!” I wrestle with joint pain (everywhere), and a very active sciatic nerve that plays hide and seek with my right hip down to my right knee. Recently it has changed to my left knee ,so where is the justice in that..? But, I let it hinder me as little as possible. Recently I went to Disneyland with my granddaughter and scooted about the park on a scooter- best thing since silicone! I can’t remember when I had a better time…I recommend it for all the oldies but goodies!

THE GRANDKID EXPERIENCE…

I am fortunate enough to be geographically close to most of  my grandchildren except for three who I have not been privileged to be part of their lives. Like many grandparents, I have become the victim of a parental divorce. Consequently I have three lovely granddaughters who I long to see and get to know.and who I greatly miss…perhaps someday.

Grandad and I have our first great grandchild and are anxiously awaiting the second coming September 2007.  There is a sense of peace seeing the family grow and we look forward to watching it do so for many more years.

I VIEW THE WORLD DIFFERENTLY….

Speaking of seeing, I thank my lucky stars I can! Age has strange ways of creeping up on you. With me it was a doctor visit in January to check my eyes. Seems I have developed cataracts. Or as the doctor put it..” no sense in getting you new glasses until we scrap the left eyeball.”(Those are my words..but graphically it is spot on!) To make a very long story shorter, I can say I was one of those 3% who had some sort of complication. I talked to everyone, even went on the Internet and this sort of procedure is a slam-dunk. I had the opinions of two doctors and the well wishes of several who had been there-done that.
There was a malfunction in the procedure and for several weeks I looked through what appeared to be “snot” in my left eye. Eventually it turned to fog and now I can not tell whether I really need my new glasses. Hate the new glasses…the style is the itty-bitty on the tip of the nose eyeglasses. These glasses are made for cute, petite, little headed people who do not need to really see…my face need goggles! We shall see (no pun intended) how long I will continue wearing them!

I AM DIFFICULT…

Like Mandy, my furrball companion( that’s my dog-not my husband),  I have become strong willed and opinionated. I used to be sweet and timid…but that got me nowhere! Instead my husband and his dynamic personality has made me what I am. Since we were too young to get married ( we did anyway), through the years we have become one solid person- though grey haired and gimpy. We fight over who gets the heating pad…we now have a his and hers!! He goes to bed before the sun sets and I watch the 10 oclock news: he watches TV with the romote in hand to switch channels during comericals( it’s a man thing!) and I steal away upstairs to lessen the volume and mute my TV on QVC so I can research dead people (genealogy!) on the internet…..ah…a marriage made in heaven! Just as well…we are in this relationship …like forever!!

THERE IS BEAUTY ALL AROUND…

I like and appreciate nature. I live in the desert but have high, lofty mountains that reach to the clouds. There really are “purple mountains majesty” where I live. The sunsets are spectacular and there are many times it seems like Heavenly Father open his arms and spreads the clouds-just to take a peek! I am sure He is pleased with His handiwork. Spring is a wonderful time of year. One day it can be windy, cloudy and blowing up a storm of rain and snow. The next day it is warm and breezy with new growth and a miriad of greens blooming all around. I have daffodils and tulips in the yard. Deer and gophers bring me back to reality! The deer love the tulips consequently I see very few of them. I can’t get too mad at the deer, after all, we are intruding into their territory..However, the gophers make me downright militant! My seventh rose bush just bit the dust- literally. Those bloody little suckers eat the roots all the way up the stalk!! Since our yard pals arrived I have had all sorts of advice on how to rid ourselves of them. That in itself would make a book…obviously a continuing saga!!

ON TOP OF MY WORLD….

I really do have a unique perspective of my part of the world. I spend a great deal of time sitting at my computer. It is situated between two corner windows…to my right is the granite mountains- currently snow peaked and beautiful. To my left is a commanding view of the desert valley filled with people and the daily activities that transpire there. On a clear day I can see, I would guess, 100 miles away along the tall mountain range. On a stormy day I can witness the roll-in of storms that cross the valley, be it rain, snow or lightening. Nature is not only beautiful in all its forms but can also put on quite a dramatic show. My little computer spot is a front row seat to life..if at times I can’t participate in it- I sure can watch it!!

WHAT’S WITH GENEALOGY…?

Well.. I have mentioned genealogy a couple of times now. I suppose you are asking ..”how can a reasonably nice old lady be so concerned with dead people. They have had there turn-on-earth.” That is precisely the point! I am all about family, perhap because when I was growing up it was just me, mom and my stepdad. I had not the opportunity to connect with siblings- the only child syndrome! And extended family were planted firmly on the east coast, therefore, my relationship experience was rather bleak. My biological father died during WWII, my mom passed away when I was 24 and I was left with alot of questions about family I thought I would have alot of time to ask.

Life being what it can be….I am now left with questions I have and want to be answered. Currently my entire life revolves around my husband, children and grandchildren. They are the sum total of my life. I feel a need to gather and bring together it all. I want to begin the book and not end with a final chapter… but have it be a continuing story that perhaps might not read like” Gone With The Wind”, but lends purpose and meaning to my little part of the world. “To gather what was…brings meaning and purpose to what is and is to come.” Oh… my dear family, how greatly I love you!!

 Past- present and future…..