Aging should be an inspiration, not a barrier, but let me tell you, facing eighty was a tough one. At first I could barely write the number, let alone say it out loud. I knew a party wasn’t going to cut it.
ELBEE People would be making side bets about whether or not she could blow out the candles.
Yes, Elbee is still adding his 2 cents.
Having made it through the big day, I’ve decided to offer suggestions on how to survive it. Since I’ve literally faced death three times, including a rattle snake bite, and I’m still here, there must be a reason. Why not help my fellow seniors, ok elderly, celebrate.
This is YOUR day so spend it like you want to. What makes you happy? For me, having grandchildren and dogs around was crucial.
ELBEE Not necessarily in that order.
Bella and Ryder, my two younger grandchildren, and I have developed our own tradition. We dress up for holidays. I use lots of props when the dogs go into the hospital so the hardest part is selecting accessories from hundreds strewn across the floor.
Their mom Danielle kind of rolls her eyes at us but she did post this “through the years” photo collage. She added the disclaimer that the kids were willing, the dogs had no say, and that grandma was crazy. However, thanks to the intervention of my dear friend Dennis, the one who agreed to do push-ups on our hikes, I have been upgraded from crazy to eccentric.
Having lots of the family in and out for a few days just felt right. It was casual. It was fun. We took the Hollywood tour, which I’d never done before. We didn’t see anyone famous, but the driver thought he was a comedian and people kept staring at us. On the actual day there was a large chocolate cake, my favorite. However, true to the cheerful chaos, no one realized I wasn’t in the room when they lit the candles. By the time they got me, “80” had almost melted.
Originally, my birthday plans had included a hike from the San Fernando Valley to the sea, about 10 miles. The mountains are my happy place, an area of peace and beauty. Sadly, many of the trails were still closed due to the devastating wildfires. I did sneak away for a short one.
ELBEE Not the best idea in ninety degree weather.
Let me add that I would never do anything dumb enough to have to be rescued. The first thing they do is put your age on the news.
I added two very personal things to my birthday, commemorating major phases in my life. In the first, near tragedy turned into an unusual kind of success. When I was seven months pregnant with Danielle, my youngest, I was a passenger in a head on car accident. It was pre- airbags and attached shoulder harnesses, so with only a lap belt, my upper body flew forward and my head hit the dashboard.
To make a very long story very short, I broke most of the bones in my face and had a tangerine sized epidural hematoma. After several surgeries, including a craniotomy, and Danielle’s premature birth, I was an eighty five pound weakling. Fate led me to weightlifting and eventually competition. Yes, yours truly was Ms. Venice Beach. How could I not flex on my birthday?
The day in 2006 that I walked into UCLA Medical Center with my first therapy dog Charley, a new phase in my life began. Thanks to Charley, his half brother Elbee, Gus, Stanley and Henry I have witnessed miracles. At this age, working with Stanley and Henry, I have a passion for what they do, and that is so important in feeling alive and vital. It’s a blessing.
A few years ago, combining weight lifting and dogs, I bench pressed Stanley.
ELBEE Why?
I had a photo blown up to engage the groups of neuropsych patients we visit. On my birthday, and in the spirit of honesty, I wanted to see if I could still come close. It turned out to be the perfect challenge to celebrate turning eighty!
Happy Birthday!!
ELBEE She’s still crazy no matter what her friend Dennis says.
