"COME GROW OLD WITH ME..."

Alas, the ol’ saying often leaves several generations with gaping jaws and wanting to argue that statement! As the saying then finishes off with.... “the best is yet to be.” And it does make one wonder about the “golden years” when it seems more and more daily that our journey through our passage on earth becomes a bit tarnished and rust overpowers the gold and other mineral deposits set into our bones and body. What was once a temple can now be compared to a pit mine ~ we have silver in our hair, and more probable than not we are smiling and a panful of gold in our teeth.

Ah...the wondrous beauty of growing old. BUT, on the other hand, growing old does have its benefits ~ such at a 10% discount for the elderly once a month and Medicare when we reach 65. With that aging thing comes some positive advantages and opportunities as well...such as becoming a Senior Citizen and the local Sr. Citizen Board would like to say thank you to the generations of people who have carved, molded and built this county and country to be what it is. All things aside, we are very fortunate to live where we do. Our little community still proudly supports our law enforcement, our Veterans, and our Senior Citizens.

May is National Older Americans Month and this year the motto is “Communities of Strength” and the local Sr. Citizen board is taking this time and opportunity to not only pay tribute and support our elderly generation, they want to make sure they are aware of the possibilities and opportunities that are awaiting here at the local senior center.

As part of a drive for new members, the local Sr. Citizen Center is encouraging members of the community to join them and partake in some of the activities offered at the Center of 1st St. West...right next door to the VFW. Weekly cards games, whist and pinochle are played and bridge is as well. They host soup and other luncheons as part of their fundraising events. Right now, bingo is being played on Fridays at 1 p.m. and other game time is set up as interest arises. The coffee pot is usually on and there’s always someone who is willing to share the news of the world with you or dazzle you with their brilliance.

According to the Montana Free Press, Montana has the distinctive honor of being the grayest state in the west. We are in the top five for being home to a population of over 65 years of age. And here we thought it was great to be considered recycled teenagers with graying streaks of wisdom highlighting our (thinning) hair. Most of us think of old age as 15 years older than what we are. I just know there’s going to be some pretty cool old ladies coming up ~ although you might agree “wrinkled” was not one of the things any of us wrote down as what we wanted to be when we grew up.

Our growing elderly population in Montana according to the stats, has 81% of senior citizens having a computer and 70% have internet. We also have our own “text” language abbreviations such as ATD (At the Door), BFF (Best Friend Fell), BTW (Bring the Wheelchair). FWIW (Forgot What I Wanted), IMHO (Is My Hearing aid On), and TTYL (Talk To You Louder). Sure, one thing growing old is a horrible aging factor, however... it “depends” on how you personally approach it. Life is either a blessing or you can be one.

The membership drive is an open invitation to join a pretty neat and fun group who have faced trials and tribulation in life and are still here to enjoy it. You’ve got everything you had when you were a spry and snappy teenager, it’s just hanging lower. Life is here and how we handle it will add or take away years. Smiling and laughing always account as medicinal when filling out those invasive forms at the health clinics. Age is not about how many years you have lived ~ it is about how many years you’ve been here having fun. This membership drive is your opportunity to inspire a spark in those bones of yours and come on down and have some fun. We are always open to new ideas and some of us will even crank up our hearing aids and listen as you share your wisdom.

New members will be eligible for winning two guests baskets which will be drawn for at the end of May. If you have any questions, you may call Leonard and/or Margaret Leader at 654-1089, Sharon Kindle at 654-1702, or stop down at the Center Tuesday or Thursday at 1 p.m. and they will enlighten and welcome you and offer you the opportunity to join them. We look forward to having you share some time with us!

Happy Elderly Americans Month.