I recently went to the dentist. Unlike most people, I truly do not mind a dentist appointment. The hygienist lays me back in a cozy chair, and I practically fall asleep while she tinkers around in my mouth. In contrast to visits to other medical professionals who insist that I lower this number and take that pill, a visit to the dentist is a life-affirming, ego-boosting experience. I always receive a "Good job; keep up the good work," because you see, I have good gums. Granted, I do not have picket-fence straight teeth or a dazzling white smile. Far from it, but because of the superlative quality of my gums, my teeth will be in my mouth for the duration. If only the rest of my life could be so positive.
I am at the age where I am just on the cusp of senior citizenry, where within a decade Social Security will be more than just an annoying deduction from my paycheck. I have reached the point in life where I am aggressively courted by the likes of AARP and where the teenage cashier at the movie theater looks me up and down and tentatively asks, "Senior citizen discount?" Although ten percent off of regular prices is okay, other aspects of the aging process are not so cheery. It seems that when people reach a certain age, there are a barrage of preventive medical tests that must be endured and passed. When I was younger, I thought the indecent exposure involved in pregnancy and childbirth were the ultimate humiliations. Well, I was wrong. Some of the procedures we people of a mature age must undergo would make an airport TSA agent blush.
Medical tests aside, the world offers plenty more for me to fret about. Turn on any newscast or pick up any newspaper, and we find that the polar ice caps are melting, the rainforests are disappearing, and that we must reduce our carbon footprint (whatever that is) before catastrophe of cataclysmic proportions befalls us. Add to that all the political strife with Democrats and Republicans locked in a perpetual battle over how to spend or mispend our tax dollars while talking political heads crowd the airways pontificating on more doom and gloom. And on and on...
By the way, did I mention that I have excellent gums?
I am at the age where I am just on the cusp of senior citizenry, where within a decade Social Security will be more than just an annoying deduction from my paycheck. I have reached the point in life where I am aggressively courted by the likes of AARP and where the teenage cashier at the movie theater looks me up and down and tentatively asks, "Senior citizen discount?" Although ten percent off of regular prices is okay, other aspects of the aging process are not so cheery. It seems that when people reach a certain age, there are a barrage of preventive medical tests that must be endured and passed. When I was younger, I thought the indecent exposure involved in pregnancy and childbirth were the ultimate humiliations. Well, I was wrong. Some of the procedures we people of a mature age must undergo would make an airport TSA agent blush.
Medical tests aside, the world offers plenty more for me to fret about. Turn on any newscast or pick up any newspaper, and we find that the polar ice caps are melting, the rainforests are disappearing, and that we must reduce our carbon footprint (whatever that is) before catastrophe of cataclysmic proportions befalls us. Add to that all the political strife with Democrats and Republicans locked in a perpetual battle over how to spend or mispend our tax dollars while talking political heads crowd the airways pontificating on more doom and gloom. And on and on...
By the way, did I mention that I have excellent gums?
