This is not the end, it's the beginning
I was all ready for my weekly Earbiscuit today, only to find it end half way. Thankfully I saw the tweet about everything having been fixed, and was able to find out more about Link's party, and listen to this episode in full.
I've been following Rhett and Link's stories about turning forty with great interest, since I'm facing the same milestone in less than a year myself - and I recognize quite a few of their thoughts in myself. My hair under the rainbow coloured dye is mostly grey these days, and unfortunately, I inherited my grandad's genes affecting hairgrowth. I'm quite proud about the hair on my scalp, but as a female being, I could do without the facial hair.
I complained about joint pain in my fingers to my dad a few days back, and his educated guess was that I'm suffering from arthrithis and /or rheumatism. Yay, I have old people's diseases at 39! I didn't get too upset by these physical signs of aging, but I do admit that the thought of "Am I too late to do this?" has occurred in my mind a few times. But I'm still hoping to get a chance to have an epic birthday party next year - ten years ago I was convinced I wouldn't live to 40, so it calls for a party that I actually made it.
I believe that the biggest cause of becoming old is in our minds. A bit like Rhett said, I agree that you need to have purpose for living in order to stay young. I also think that the day you start waiting for death, and give up on reaching for new things and experiences, you are already one foot in the grave. You need to have dreams.
My dad retired a couple of years ago, and sadly, he hasn't quite found a new purpose to replace the work, and it shows. My mom on the other hand has all kinds of things to do, and she hasn't let the funk hit her. I've been watching Grace and Frankie on Netflix, and I hhink I want to grow old like them (minus the nips and tucks). I mean, they look beautiful, have new ideas, thrive and refuse to give up despite some physical changes. I think it would do good for Rhett and Link to watch the show, too.
I was sorry to hear about Link's uncle passing away. It's always hard for the family to lose someone unexpectedly, but on the other hand, for those who die, it's an easier way to go. My godfather died suddenly a little over ten years ago, and I think hearing about his death was the reason my hair turned grey, but as much as I loved him, I was happy to know at least he got away without a long painful battle. Dying while doing what you love is the best way to go. So, hopefully, I still have the strength to hold a painbrush in my rheumatic hands at 95, because I ain't planning on leaving any time soon.
