“Old age ain't no place for sissies.” Bette Davis

gaymen2
Sep 10, 2023
2 min read

The quote “Old age is no place for Sissies” is often attributed to the American actress Bette Davis. The expression emphasizes that aging is not a straightforward journey. It requires a willingness to confront the inevitable challenges of advancing years.

I have learned that the best thing in old age is - to laugh - a lot - especially at the absurdity of things and even the medical issues that crop up and linger on and do not get better as once it would. I pooped my pants again this week and I could have really gone down the road of tears and dismay that this is happening to me, again - but that serves no purpose, and I laughed as I cleaned myself up as ' SOOOOO un elegant and SOOOOO not the stylish lifestyle I lived for decades ' and is yet another experience I never thought I would have and another box to tick of things in my life that affect my every day life - and while I may have poo on my hands and in my pants and as I wash and scrub my pants clean before putting into the washer ( not to dirty the water for the rest of the wash ) it reminds me of all the times I have done this for older friends and relatives who were ill when I was caring for them and now - wo and behold - it is my turn, and now I appreciate when patients and old family members said to me ' This is so not me, this is so not the way I have lived my life.' - and actually, - it is - and if you don't laugh, you'll cry and that - is somewhat self indulgent and while a good cry does you good, once or twice is enough and then - get up, get on as best you can and be thankful you are still alive and kicking, as best you can.

YES - THANKFUL - we lived decades more than many of our gay friends back in the 80's and 90's who dropped like flies in their 30's, and here I am nearly 70 and - after an amazing and extremely unusual life compared to most, I GIVE THANKS - THANKS FOR THIS LIFE and as it slowly and painfully draws close to the end, I do tear up as I miss the old days, the friends, the family, all those who have gone before me and I hope I have lived a life that has been full and lived it - not just for me - but for all those who tragically died so young. And looking back at the life I have lived - BOY - HAVE I HAD AN EXCITING AND SUPERB LIFE - SO FAR.