Well, the two of us are still here in our ancient house and, while the basic relationship still reigns, yesterday we found ourselves yapping at each other like a pair of squirrels fighting for hegemony over a tree branch. Now, we’ve met people who staunchly believe that ours is a model marriage to be emulated by all, and we would like to agree, but it isn’t.
After some 40 years together, we are both about 79 years old, and we’re as creaky and fussy as one might expect from a pair of long-term cellmates. Natalie has aged far better than I have, for my tremor seems relatively uncontrollable and is complicated by what might be “long Covid,*” which has taken the last bit of wind out of my sails, depriving me of energy and the ability to ride a bicycle. Natalie’s right eye is still blurry due to a slow-healing infection, and she aches enough to alter her formidable self-care exercise schedule.
Beyond that, we’re fine, which means that neither of us has contracted a disease that would warrant a half-marathon through the streets of Columbus. Nobody is doing vital research to find a cure for living too long. Our own solution is to make certain I can still make Natalie laugh, and vice versa.
I’m not sure that I can recall details of yesterday’s unpleasantness except that it all seemed overwhelming at the time and completely irrelevant this morning, which is usually what happens. Today I’ll try to do my stuff, and she will do hers, and when appropriate, we’ll help each other. We both feel lucky that we found each other and will continue to do so.
But we both know that there will be disputes, and if that’s involved with someone you love any sort of disagreement feels monumental. That is why we will be particularly cautious around each other today.
She has gone off to her music lesson with Liz, who, from a standing start, has taught her how to sing. I am proud of her, and I hope she knows that (yes, I’ve told her.)
*There’s a bit of news about ‘long Covid,’ which is nature’s way of telling you that you should have died before that vaccine came out and spoiled all the fun. Thus far, L.C. can neither be diagnosed nor cured, but I’ve learned that Ohio State’s Wexner Medical Center (1) understands that ‘long Covid’ is a real condition and (2) has developed a program that might help matters. Do a Google search for ‘Ohio State University Wexner long Covid’ to learn more.
Mark Kinsler lives, at least currently, in our little house in Lancaster as a vassal of Natalie and her cat, who resents having to live with someone not of noble birth.
This article originally appeared on Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: Aging together means navigating life with humor
Reporting by Mark Kinsler, Special to the Eagle-Gazette / Lancaster Eagle-Gazette
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Mark Kinsler, Special to the Eagle-Gazette | USA TODAY Network
