Time passes

It's ridiculous how quickly time passes.  I was in the waiting room early this morning to have a blood sample taken. The waiting room was crowded and every chair was taken.  Everyone was carefully studying his or her fingernails, the old posters on the wall, or just trying to avoid eye contact with the person opposite.  All magazines and papers have been taken out of waiting rooms because of the fear of germs being transmitted.  Since it's winter and all the germs are out and about, it makes sense, but at the same time, isn't it bit of an over-reaction?  I don't think this winter has been nearly as bad as some in the past, for all the flu and virus scares.

As each person's name was called, we all watched as the old ones got to their feet, slowly, creakily, and with accompanying 'ooohs' as they straightened up.  God, we're all getting so old!  Interestingly there were a number of fairly fit men in the room - in their 50s or early 60s.  It happens, every time there's a sudden death in our small town - the doctors all report an influx of men wanting check-ups.

The old, creaky ones, must have been in pain.  Knees, hips, ankles, all the achey joints protesting their age.  Many of them know each other, of course, and nod or even kiss hello.  Conversation revolves around health and what's wrong with them.  The forgotten generation - and soon to be the babyboomers' turn.  We, too, will sit around the walls, creaking and groaning, but I hope we can still crack a joke or two even at our own expense.