Going to your new internist who says she wants to do a “memory test” on you, and then she forgets to do it.

Not realizing how gray your hair is because you don’t have good lighting in your house.

Noting how the physical trainer in the gym thinks it’s cute you are asking about a piece of strength equipment, and resisting the urge to tell him how many years you’ve been working out.

Starting to realize the person in the mirror really is what you look like now.

Not only making lists, but making duplicate lists. One for the kitchen table. One for the car.

Watching your prayer list grow longer and longer with names of friends dealing with serious health issues.

Avoiding unnecessary drama in life whenever possible.

Two words:  elastic waist.

Four words:   “I’ll take the discount.”

Fully paying attention to how beautiful a full moon is, how sweetly a wren sings, how good a cool breeze can feel on a hot day.

Being grateful you were alive when the Beatles first appeared, when the astronauts landed on the moon, when stores were festive and fun at the holidays and window-shopping was a treat (and safe), and when nothing felt better than roller-skating down the sidewalk or waiting for the ice cream truck (Merry Mobile) to stop by. 

Wishing people would stop starting at their phones 24/7.

Being able to remember who sat next to you in fourth grade but having no idea where you put your keys. Or those two lists you made.

Being astonished that Herb Alpert is 87.

Getting in extra steps by looking for your car.

Deciding that it really is time to get your life together.  Really.

Setting new goals…for the next 30 years….why not?

“My mother always used to say, ‘The older you get, the better you get. Unless you’re a banana.” Betty White