Staying alive at 75

By Lionel Waterson

BACK in the late 1970s the Bee Gees wrote a song Stayin’

Alive which was used in the movie Saturday Night Fever.

I am now in the privileged position of ‘stayin’ alive’ at 75 and loving it. It’s not Old Age to me, but a whole New Age! I have never been here before. What’s so great about it? Every breath I take.

Some are not as fortunate as me. My younger brother did not make it, so I am making the most of it.

Still working? Part time. Why? Because I was asked to stay on. How nice is that?

Enjoying it? Sure am. There is a clue - keep busy, it gives you something to wake up for.

When you look in the mirror each morning, see if you can find a new wrinkle (great eyesight exercise). Then put your hands on both cheeks and pull back till they disappear, then let go. Young folk cannot do that. Give them a name or a number, they will all be there tomorrow, so introduce the newcomer to the regulars.

Now you are up, keep moving, see if you can find all the bits you took off the night before: Glasses, hearing aids, false teeth and your...what was the other thing? Ah, never mind.

Go for a walk - best part of the day and say ‘Morning’ to all you meet. Try touching your toes, use a stick if needs be. If you bend over, you might not be able to get up again.

Keep up to date with what is happening by reading the paper, but resist going to the Death Notices and Funerals first.

Make sure before 8am you have a good laugh. It keeps the wrinkles at bay.

Suggestion: Stand naked in front of a mirror and smile. You are looking at your New Age body. That should do the trick.

Before lunch time, talk to a young person - they will need it as much as you. Be nice to anyone who serves you at the supermarket, corner shop, or just walks past your house if you are out the front.

Do something special each week. Mine’s Parkrun, you are always welcome there.

It is part of life this New Age bit, you will have to make some adjustments, that goes with the birth certificate and your health.

Remember the Bee Gees: “Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Stayin’ alive, stayin’ alive.’