The knees. The eyesight. The inability to hear what you said let alone remember it.
This aging thing is hard. Nobody told us we’d need orthopedic shoes, a “favorite” pharmacy or the help of a 16-year-old to clip a grocery store coupon.
The world is already daunting and cruel enough, as illustrated by Congressional bullying, the Kate-spiracy theorists, mass shootings, wars and our inability to get a human on the other end of the phone.
But for us older people, the added stress of knowing our expiration date is impending can make it overwhelming.
Our age makes us physically weaker, more vulnerable, perhaps more impatient, even as our emotional baggage gets heavier.
Younger drivers whiz by on Interstate 355 in an apparent attempt to show off their dexterity and causing us to wonder why their cars don’t come with turn signals.
Younger grocery shoppers get annoyed when we stare dumbfounded at the jars of peanut but even they can’t do the math on whether buying five jars to save 40 cents is a deal.
We can’t read paper menus without phone flashlights. We can’t read online menus without zooming the text 100 percent. And we no longer can eat a five-egg omelet yet don’t want to take leftovers home in a Styrofoam container that will outlive our great-great grandchildren.
So, it takes us a minute to order. We know you don’t have all day even if we finally do.
We also know it’s us, not you.
Are we confused? You betcha. Our generation went from framing souvenir concert tickets to handing our cell phone to some young clerk behind a kiosk because the Bruce Springsteen passes suddenly disappeared from our “wallet” and the show is about to begin.
Technology maybe makes life easier for you but it makes keeping up harder for us.
We grew up having face-to-face chats about everything from our latest health report to episodes of “Law & Order” to what sides to serve at Easter dinner. We held newspapers, clipped paper coupons and actually attended real Tupperware parties — in person.
All this text messaging with one finger is exhausting. We still can’t tell if no response means you’re in a hurry or you’re mad at us.
Boomers may be tough, having endured a few things during our day, but we’re also fragile.
Every single one of us has lost someone dear. Every single one of us has known tragedy and sorrow. Every single one of us knows our days are numbered.
And, yes, every single one of us is a bit slower than we used to be.
But you know what, in our minds we’re still cool, we’re still relevant, we’re still capable.
We’re still the people who mainstreamed the computer, gave you blue jeans Friday, made volunteering a thing, battled for non-smoking public buildings, got down to Talking Heads and Prince, and promoted preschool.
Baby Boomers did a lot to make life better for everyone.
Is it asking too much for the world to be a little kinder to us as we navigate QR codes, software updates and life without certain loved ones?
Old as we are, we still love conversation, card games and, yes, paper receipts.
Maybe we need a minute. Better yet, maybe we need a movement.
Just like there was a movement 40 years ago to boost self-esteem in children. Suddenly, everyone got a trophy. Sure, it was over the top but the campaign shed a discerning light on spanking, verbal abuse and the disciplining of learning disabilities — all things that made a Boomer childhood painful.
Boomers are also the people who bolstered civil rights, women’s rights, veterans’ rights and measures to protect victims of domestic violence. We shed a compassionate light on special needs, poverty, the environment, marginalized populations and access to college.
Not only that, we’re the people who elevated Star Wars, Doritos, TV, drive-thrus, rock-‘n’-roll, video games and Disney.
You’re welcome.
We tried to make life better but, yes, we know there’s still lots to be done, starting with this epidemic of cruelty.
We’re passing the baton, young people. But that doesn’t mean we should be put out to pasture.
Youth may make you faster drivers, texters and shoppers, but life is not a race. It is a journey. And those of us north of 60 are nearing our destinations.
We need some kindness to get there with dignity.
Because one day, we’ll be gone and you’ll be right where we are now.
Donna Vickroy is an award-winning reporter, editor and columnist who worked for the Daily Southtown for 38 years. She can be reached at donnavickroy4@gmail.com.
