As I walk slowly to my 79th birthday, just a week or so away, I think about the things I knew and the things I didn’t expect out of getting old.

I’ve mentioned many of the good things about aging, but have neglected some of the less inspiring things.

Like pain: nobody told me about that.

When you are my age, something hurts all the time – a limb, a hand, an obstacle, a nerve, a food, or a finger  Arthritis becomes a secret partner, hiding in a joint or finger, waiting to op up, an unwelcome visit for a writer and photographer  Sometimes I think I’m walking like a Zombie; I expect I’m getting ugly; I’m sure of it.

I worry sometimes that I might smell from one thing to another.

(Above, my Eggsters for keeping my hand loose.)

The medications I am supposed to take all have secrets nobody mentioned and effects that snarl. They all have side effects that I don’t like, and they often have effects that I do like.

I sometimes forget names and find the new AI landscape challenging, though I use my AI software very well. It’s a great help for a Dyslexic and someone obsessed with researching what I write.

As one who avoided a gym all of his life (except for a few months a few years ago) or never did well with a bike, and has never done a push-up in my life, or ridden a bicycle on my living room floor, aging convinced me I had to do something better.

It reminded me not to be pompous. I do want to live as long as is possible and reasonably healthy. Aging is liberating for me; I am free to be a grown-up and take responsibility for myself.

About six months ago, I saw myself in meditation and thought it was time to take care of me.

I went on a quiet, reasonable health kick with the help of my active and healthy wife, my new Yoga instructor, and a new doctor who actually takes the time to talk with me and understand what I needed.   I did some research and read some books. I did what he suggested.

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I was highly praised by a surgeon this week; she told me I was doing everything well and had made amazing progress with my health. When I thought about it, I think she was right, and I might need to credit myself for it. I blushed. I ought to write about it, I thought.

Through dieting thoughtfully, like not in panic, and researching foods and what is in them, I’ve lost 16 pounds. My A1C number is well in the healthy zone. My blood sugar does not even qualify for diabetes; it averages out to 98 in the morning.

My snacks are an apple a day or some corn crackers with peanut butter. I also drink some diabetic drinks made for people with diabetes to keep their blood sugar steady and good. The drinks can also be used to keep me from wanting to eat.

I got some ear aids to help me hear, and tomorrow, I go and pick up the last touches of the aids.

A few weeks ago, I gave up driving everywhere, but in my small town, it’s time to make certain nobody gets harmed or killed by another older man in denial. It was time. It was tough.

I go to my Yoga class (one-on-one, once a week) and work on every part of my body in a way that is easy and comfortable, and also effective.

I have several devices that I work on every day – a riding device that sits on the floor next to my computer and has given me leg muscles and strength that make it healthy for me to walk again, and I have no dizziness any longer.

Maria noticed before I did that I was standing up more easily, moving more easily, walking more confidently, sleeping much more.

Two days ago I went to a Retinanal specialist who takes care of my eyes, a danger for diabetes  I see her once or twice a year. For a time I feared going blind. “I can’t believe how good you look since I last saw you last year,” she said. “You look great, your eyes look great, and whatever you are doing, it is the right thing. I’m impressed. See you in six months.”

This was a shock to me, but I can’t say it didn’t look right. A great challenge for older people is urinating; I often need the bathroom as well, but much less than before, and sometimes not at all at night.

Jennette, my Yoga teacher, got me to buy straps to stretch my legs while sitting and exercises for my arms and back.

Rubber eggs I squeeze often have eliminated the arthritic creaking in my hands. She taught me how to exercise at home, without a gym. My new doctor has removed some of the medications that were being prescribed to me and are making me sick.

I never took a yoga class once in my former life. I am learning to be open about what I don’t know.

Maria got me to a furniture store and bought me a wonderful reclining chair that can lift my legs at night and keep the blood flowing, another challenge for diabetes.

My new physician – a young man – arranged a plan for me to lower medicines and get healthier. So far, it’s right on the beat. He’s taught me patience and acceptance and praised my attitude  I like his attitude. He told me this would take time and patience  He was right.

I have some natural sleep pills to take at night – three gummies that help me get to sleep right away and stay there for hours  I can’t believe I’ve become an aging kind of low-key jock  My head is much clearer, I still can’t remember people’s names – let’s not ask for miracles  I didn’t get along with my father, but he would have been happy to see I had an athletic gene in my body – sort of.

Every morning, when I wake up, I meditate and listen to music using my Apple earphones. It is a wonderful chunk of time for me.

He often assured me I was a sissy.

I didn’t expect my health to be moving in this direction, but I get the right help, listened to it, find all kinds of new equipment to exercise in a way I am confortable with  None are digital  I love getting on the scale every morning and seeing if I’ve lost weight  I have.

I don’t expect to live forever, or even for very long. But that doesn’t matter to me. What matters to me is how I love right now, today and tomorrow. I’m getting along well with aging; I am a bit surprised by that.

Aging isn’t a straight line, and is often a difficult one. Still, it s up to me in many ways, how good or bad an experience it is  I can see it as a loss, or as a gain  My choice  I do have control  I do have the energy  What I needed – what ever older person needs – is attitude  For me, attitude and loving people nearby to help – means everything  Doctors really can help if you find the right ones.

I want to live longer, I want to live well, I want to do some good.

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Note  I need to be honest and say out front that I don’t share medical advice with anyone, let alone people I have never met  I think its unethical of me to do that, I am not a physician and am not qualified to give advice  Things that work for me are not necessarily things that work for you  I trust doctors  They go to school for at least six years. Whatever they know, it’s a lot more than what I know. It comes across as arrogant to assume what I do is what everyone should do.