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By: Liz Breier / This & That Recently a friend fell ill in a public place and felt distraught at having made a bit of a mess. I almost felt worse for her being embarrassed than I did for her falling ill. It reminded me how frequently any or many of us have had “moments.” And especially as we age, we should not feel ashamed at our situations. If you have ever lost consciousness, then you know that more than likely, you may “come to” and find you have lost bladder control – not fun, but a fact of life. Who has fallen and caused a scene because they cracked open their noggin and made a bloody mess? How about falling and not being able to get up because you broke your hip. It happened to my own Dad many years ago right in the middle of his granddaughter’s band recital. Years ago, a friend stood up from the table in a restaurant and his By: Dianne Hahn / Back in the Days Last month I did something ridiculous; something I laughed at in the past. When I previously scoffed and giggled for such action, mind you, it was before I was a senior (but don’t be asking how senior I am, I’m not telling). And you don’t need to know how old I was the first time I did it. I doubt anyone on the lower spectrum of the senior scale would do it, so I’m not denying I’m up there, or that age had something to do with it. However, I’m still not disclosing my age. You’re probably going to do it soon…or not. Maybe you did it already! Just understand that I couldn’t believe it when I discovered what I was actually up to! “Really?” I said, sadly. I’m assuming my brain went on pause for a minute. When it righted itself and I took stock of the situation, my heart skipped several beats. The pitter patter part wasn’t alarming, but the stable part of my brain couldn’t believe it. “Are you serious? What are you thinking?! Oh, 16 Stuff Happens Really?? <strong>June</strong> <strong>2023</strong> pants fell to his ankles. After dinner we went shopping for suspenders for him! A very tall friend fell in a parking lot and we could not get him up. It took 3 of us and some passers-by to get him upright again. We need to laugh this off and move on. Many of us cannot walk as spritely as we once did. Crossing a street or in a parking lot we sometimes delay traffic because of our lack of surefootedness. No kidding, it’s just part of life and living and not a thing we can do about it. Just smile and wave at the driver that was delayed and thank them for their patience (hopefully). The alternative to so many potential mishaps as we age is not having that luxury. Accept that things don’t work as well as they used to and sometimes “Stuff Happens” but in the words of Richard Carlson: Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff – and it’s mostly all small stuff. Liz Breier is an ex-New Yorker who retired to Florida for 24 years before deciding that Nevada means home to her. You can contact Liz at: bluesky090372@gmail.com. wait. You’re not!” “Unfair!” I replied. “This isn’t a thinking action. It’s more reflexive.” “In that case you scored a hundred,” said my brain. “Your reflexes are working perfectly. I saw that finger action, deliberately pushing and pressing! You should be proud of yourself; it was very striking!” “Enough,” you say! “What did you do, Dianne?” Hmm… maybe I shouldn’t tell. It might color your opinion of me. Or maybe not, if you’re on the north side of the senior scale. Perhaps you’ll even understand. Believe it or not, I picked up my home phone this morning and actually tried to change the channels on my TV with it! I know, I know! That’s one of the most common jokes about (mostly female) seniors. I won’t make excuses. I wasn’t half asleep. I’d already had a cup of coffee. But don’t be laughing! It just so happens there is a huge similarity between the TV remote and the telephone remote...similar color, sameish size. They’re hardly distinguishable…except by a rocket scientist. Really! A former schoolteacher, Dianne Sebis Hahn writes for children too. Presently, Dianne has eight books available on Amazon.com.