Usually I don't consider myself as old; I mean, I'm in my early 60's so to many people I'm ancient, but to me I'm quite sharp and with it, able to handle just about anything that comes along. Until I go out in public. There's something about being around other people, strangers usually, that baffles me.
Take yesterday, my hubby and I went to Vitamin Cottage for a few things. It was good to get out in the middle of the morning, I felt relaxed and quite pleased with myself that I finally was going to pick up the items I needed. In the store things went okay until we got to the register to pay. First, I couldn't figure out how to slide my Visa card in the little machine; you know, the one that has a picture for people to easily figure out and proceed with the transaction. I swear that picture showed the magnetic strip on the outside; so, I swiped my card. Immediately the clerk behind the counter took my card, flipped it over and swiped it for me. I asked Chuck if he interpreted the picture the same way I did. He said he did, giving me a false sense of relief. Was he just being kind?
Then, when the clerk handed me the receipt to sign, I paused and studied it, looking for the price to make sure it matched the amount she had told me. Again immediately the clerk tapped on the line where I was supposed to sign. I mean, really! It wasn't as though there were a hundred people lined up behind me waiting impatiently to get checked out. Maybe ten or so, but still...
Anyway, by the time we left the store, I was feeling quite old, excessively useless, and downright fidgety. My self-esteem had plummeted, my brain was in a dense fog, and I had a strong desire to take a long nap. I suppose many elderly feel the same way, but I'm not comforted by that. It just seems to me that the world has sped up, leaving me behind to swallow the dust.
Take yesterday, my hubby and I went to Vitamin Cottage for a few things. It was good to get out in the middle of the morning, I felt relaxed and quite pleased with myself that I finally was going to pick up the items I needed. In the store things went okay until we got to the register to pay. First, I couldn't figure out how to slide my Visa card in the little machine; you know, the one that has a picture for people to easily figure out and proceed with the transaction. I swear that picture showed the magnetic strip on the outside; so, I swiped my card. Immediately the clerk behind the counter took my card, flipped it over and swiped it for me. I asked Chuck if he interpreted the picture the same way I did. He said he did, giving me a false sense of relief. Was he just being kind?
Then, when the clerk handed me the receipt to sign, I paused and studied it, looking for the price to make sure it matched the amount she had told me. Again immediately the clerk tapped on the line where I was supposed to sign. I mean, really! It wasn't as though there were a hundred people lined up behind me waiting impatiently to get checked out. Maybe ten or so, but still...
Anyway, by the time we left the store, I was feeling quite old, excessively useless, and downright fidgety. My self-esteem had plummeted, my brain was in a dense fog, and I had a strong desire to take a long nap. I suppose many elderly feel the same way, but I'm not comforted by that. It just seems to me that the world has sped up, leaving me behind to swallow the dust.
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