What Do You Think Now, Huh?

Yesterday (Saturday) someone I had just met said I look great for my age. It felt good to think that this new acquaintance would say that so genuinely. I did not say that today (Sunday) is my 60th birthday nor did I say I have Parkinson’s. Today, a part of me wants to go and say to her, “What do you think now, huh? Yesterday I was 59 and you were dishing out compliments. Today I am 60 and things don’t look quite as good, do they?”

Actually, I have never been one to be traumatized by the “big” birthdays. Each decade has been better than the previous. Sure, each decade has brought its share of grief and pain. Grad school trauma in my 20s, divorce in my 30s, Parkinson’s in my 40s, Parkinson’s in my 50s, and now Parkinson’s in my 60s. But each decade has brought its joys, too. No Parkinson’s in my 20s and 30s, good response to medications in my 40s, successful DBS in my 50s, and with all the great new discoveries about Parkinson’s I am hopeful for my 60s and beyond.

So please don’t worry about my age or my Parkinson’s. I am not worried. I am not going to talk to this new acquaintance and ask her if she wants to retract her compliment. Yesterday I looked good for my age, and today I feel good for my age. What do you think now, huh?

(I am not fishing for compliments or birthday wishes here, but they would not go unappreciated…)