When I was much younger, I would go and visit homes of older family friends.
I used to marvel at the amount of “junk” on their nightstands and in their bathrooms.
What was that big old fat rubber thing with the funny looking hose attached that hung behind the bathroom door?
I would see a container of Epsom salts in the bathroom with a couple of hot water bottles.
I saw false teeth containers with some packages of bubbly stuff next to them.
I saw Vicks Vapor Rub and liniment.
On the nightstands were pill bottles, Kleenex, water, cough drops, reading glasses and a magnifying glass.
I thought it was so funny that these old people needed all of this stuff just to make it through the day and night.
I would shake my head and quietly say, “Bless their little old hearts.”
Well…then I hit 65 and guess what?
All that stuff I used to say about those nice little old people now hits close to home.
As I peruse my nightstand, I see; a bottle of water, cough drops, reading glasses, the remote control to my fan, a container of Extra Strength Tylenol, Tums, a topical gel to sooth the arthritis in my right hand, Kleenex, blood pressure cuff, Solanpas patches, a can of mixed nuts, and the remote control to the TV
An ergonomic pillow and knee brace are propped up next to the night stand.
Sigh…I blinked … and I have now become one of them!!
Stop laughing…you have become one of them too!!!
Photo Credit: jdj150 via Compfight cc
About Beatrice Bailey
Beatrice Bailey was born and raised in Davenport, Iowa to a Baptist minister father and a mother who was a gospel recording artist. She has three sisters and one brother. She attended the University of Iowa and graduated with a BA in Psychology from California State University, Sacramento. Retired since 2004 from management positions with both the Xerox Corporation and the State of California, Bea now conducts customized seminars on “Budgeting for the Not So Rich and Famous”, “Putting the Puzzle Pieces Together…The Ultimate Balancing Act,” as well as interview techniques entitled, “Selling the Sizzle and Not the Steak.” In addition, she is an active member of St. Paul Baptist Church in Sacramento, CA, where she is an Adult Sunday School teacher. Bea has been a Head Feature Writer for Senior Magazine of Northern California. She also writes a monthly newspaper column entitled, “Uniquely Bea” Currently, she has authored a best-selling book, entitled, "Farewell, My Friend” and is conducting presentations and book signings throughout the United States and Mexico. "Radio Luz,” a Spanish Speaking Christian Radio Station, has interviewed her multiple times. Bea also was selected to be included in a book by The Author’s Show, as one of the "50 Outstanding Writers You Should Be Reading”. Bea has produced and hosted a new innovative television show, “A-Z with Bea”, which aired in November 2009 on RCCTV, Sacramento, CA. Bea is active at St. Paul Baptist Church and is an Adult Sunday school Teacher, and a Small Accountability Group Leader. She is a member of Kaiser’s Bio-Ethics Committee and on the Board of Advisors for the East Lawn Corporation. Recently, she has been asked to participate as a speaker with the Black Health Today national organization. To relax, Bea likes to work out at the gym, walk, knit, paint, sew, cook, garden, and read. Traveling within the United States, Mexico, Asia, the Caribbean, South America and Europe is one of Bea’s true passions. She has two adult children, one “bonus son”, five wonderful grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She resides in Northern California.
I’m only in my 50s, and can relate too well. I had my husband install a Toto bidet/washlet rather than use a “big old fat rubber thing with the funny looking hose attached.”