I
don’t mind getting older. I see it as a privilege and want to appreciate it
fully. Yet, I find myself pushing back against things that “old” people do. For
example, I just had my second eye surgery – the first one was done last August.

Fighting Terminology

Note
that I said “eye surgery” and not “cataract surgery.” I realized that in my
mind cataract surgery sounds like an old person kind of thing whereas eye
surgery has a younger ring to it. Perhaps like Lasik surgery to avoid wearing
glasses.

When
I went into my surgeon’s office the afternoon of my operation to have the eye
patch removed and for a post-op check, I burst into laughter. There, in a row,
were nine people with patches on one eye.

The silver
hair, or no hair, of the folks lined up in the waiting room had me thinking: Face
it, Jude, cataract surgery IS done on older people.

Great New Vision

I
always try to find the sweet spot in any experience. The upside of this one is
that now I can, for the first time in my life, drive without glasses.

This
is a marvel. I was used to turning my head and neck to get full perspective as
I drove because my frames limited my peripheral vision. Now I just turn my head
slightly and can see so much more – a definite perk!

I
have also committed to not balk before any experience from now on, even when
something makes me feel sad or miserable.

Needing Reading Glasses

The
downside to my eye surgery is that I can no longer read without glasses. My
prescription lenses were bifocals, but when I was in bed with the book on my
chest, I could read without them. I am grieving this loss.

So
how to turn this around? Well, my prescription glasses were about six hundred
dollars a pair. Thus, I only had two, and only replaced them every few years
when my insurance would partially pay for new ones. To economize, I always
selected a frame that was not too trendy so it would last longer.

Readers,
on the other hand, can be found as cheap as a dollar to $25 a pair. I can choose
frames to match my outfit and they can be as trendy as I like because they are
easily replaceable. This is a clear upside and a balm to my desire to look
stylish.

A New Problem Arose

But,
as it happens, I wasn’t used to readers. I kept losing the darn things. Unlike
my prescription glasses, which I wore all the time, I only need these for close
work. I am constantly leaving them somewhere. In the first two weeks I
misplaced four pairs!

I
tried the neck chains, but can you think of anything less fashionable?

The Right Solution Always Exists

Imagine
my surprise when I went shopping in my favorite boutique and saw this very
creative magnetic eyeglass holder. It’s held by a pair of magnets and doesn’t
damage my clothes, even silk blouses.  

These
holders come in a variety of shapes and colors: hearts, fleur de lis, crystal
stones, starfish, turtles, an artist’s palette, and more! I think they’re a brilliant
and fashionable idea for those of us who manage to lose our readers much too
often!

Adjusting to a New Type of Aging

I am
gradually adjusting to needing a pair of readers on hand. I have about a dozen
now, placed all around the house and in my purses. I am still shopping; I found
a gorgeous teal blue pair today.

Dr. Christiane Northrup, who wrote Goddesses Never Age, says we are all growing older, no control over the calendar, but we can make choices as to how we age. I am aiming for gracefully, in excellent health, and with style! How about you?

Which
body changes do you consider a certain sign of age? How do you change your
perspective when it comes to how you age? What tools have helped you make
positive choices to age gracefully? Please share your thoughts with our
community!