Old as dirt...

So what kind of a question on a hearing test is "do you have a hard time understanding women and young children?" Loaded obviously! But, maybe it's there to relax that nervous fifty-one year old who has taken a year off from taking a physical and isn't quite feeling right. And, damn if there isn't a good reason I wasn't quite feeling right. BAM! Welcome to the world of diabetes!

Now there is pretty much a short list of options here. One, we can decide that the golden years are worth entering into and go with change or, two...suicide by food. When I look into my wife's beautiful eyes and see the unconditional love she has for me. When I hear my granddaughter reply to my question "Olivia, how old is Pops Steve?"... "Old as dirt!" she gleefully replies! When my grandsons reach their arms out for me with their adorable smiles turned on when I walk into the room. When my son says "hey dad, can I borrow some money?" (alright, that one does make you stop and think!) I know which choice I must make. Suddenly childhood has ended and I actually have to start taking care of myself. Jethro portions no more! Salt...a thing of the past. The carb addiction? No choice now, cold turkey. Exercise...not an option.

Talk about your life style change! Thank God I love vegetables. This could be killer for someone who doesn't. I have been on my new regime for three weeks now and I have lost around ten pounds and feel a lot better already. It is hard work keeping up with it. Keeping track of what I've had to eat. Actually planning meals. Driving a little needle into my hand twice a day to test my glucose level.

But...it's worth it! Hey...Olivia...how old is Pops Steve?

kids...

I woke up early the other morning and, for some inexplicable reason, I missed my step-daughter. First I have to tell you that in the past year (with the able bodied assistance of her younger brother) we've moved her in and out of the house four times. Luckily she's young and single so the "stuff" hasn't accumulated quite yet. She did spend a bit of her holiday break from school the past couple of weeks on our couch, running our washer, dryer, TV and fine dining from our fridge and pantry. That's OK because, I too was once a starving college student and did pretty much the same to my folks. Still, not quite sure why this feeling overcame me.

Anytime I meet people who are on the cusp of becoming empty nester's I have this uncontrollable need to warn them. I know I'm not supposed to. I know this has been a closely guarded secret since around the time man started to walk upright. I know I run the risk of becoming one of the "vanished ones". Led away by men in black clothes to black vehicles in an effort to keep the species thriving. But...here goes... The truth is...THEY NEVER GO AWAY!!! And...not only do they never go away, THEY REPRODUCE! Now there's even more of them!! There. It's out. Be warned...

Yes, I admit my life would not be the same without all of my beautiful children and grandchildren. A little more money in my pocket, a few more hairs left on my balding head, and what's left, not so gray. But what are those things compared to the joy of seeing my children tortured by there progeny!! It's life's irreversible cycle.

"They shall reek havoc upon their parents as their parents did upon theirs."
Steve 2:18