Friday, November 18, 2011

Candles Can Bring Illumination

By the time my day comes around again to blog in this spot I'll have passed the point where I turn 86. It's not a particularly significant anniversary, like 75 or 100, but the year leading up to it has made me wonder about this condition called aging. I have a brother two years older who has complained for years that he started falling apart when he reached 80.

At my annual physicals, the doctor always plunks his stethoscope here and there, thumps around on my knees and elbows, and says I don't see anything wrong with you. The lab lady drains a bunch of test tubes full of blood, and the results show I'm normal.

But this year I've begun to wonder. My ophthalmologist diagnosed me with AMD in my right eye, Age-related Macular Degeneration, a few years ago. She put me on some high-powered vitamin pills, and I've had no problem since. Except for cataracts. I don't see well driving at night. Now she has me scheduled for cataract surgery. But she says I might get back to where I don't need glasses to read. Maybe no more bifocals.

Then there's my mouth. Early in the summer, I had my four lower front teeth pulled and a bridge put in. Of course, I had the same thing done with the upper four when I was a teenager, so that's no big deal.

I walk two miles most days at the mall. Whenever I get a pain in a knee or a twinge in a hip, I think about all my acquaintances who've had knee or hip replacements. But it hasn't slowed my 15-minute-per-mile pace, so I don't worry about it.

I guess as long as my musty old brain can continue creating mysteries I shouldn't complain. And I have lots of them stirring around waiting for my fingers to get them on paper. Speaking of fingers...

Chester Campbell
Visit me at Mystery Mania

14 comments:

Morgan Mandel said...

Happy Upcoming Birthday, Chester!
Obviously, your brain power has not diminished, judging from the great blog posts I've seen here.

Way to go!

Morgan Mandel
http://morganmandel.blogspot.com

Radine said...

Chester, you have been around just a very few more years than I, and remain my inspiration and role model.Thanks for sharing this inspiring story.

Marilyn Meredith a.k.a. F. M. Meredith said...

Happy, happy birthday, Chester! You look and act much younger. You're a terrific guy and super writer.

Marilyn

Bees Wax Candles said...

First have a Happy Birthday. I love the How well you are doing.

Jean Henry Mead said...

You're the sharpest almost 86-year-old I know, Chester. I hope I'm around to help celebrate your 100th birthday.

Happy 86th!!!

Chester Campbell said...

Thanks to everybody for the well wishes. I hope I can live up to your expectations.

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Many many happy returns of the day Chester, happy Birthday. thanks for giving such a great description on candles enjoyed so much while reading this.

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Happy Birthday Chester and thanks for posting such a great article on candles,candles play an important role in our life many moments in our life didnt complete without candles and that's true.

Carolann Cirocco said...

Hi this is David and this is first time i visit your site belated Happy Birthday chester,is this your birthday cake:-)?

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