“Pride goeth before a fall”. That
familiar proverb came to mind while attending a Special Olympics swim meet. At
the end of the meet, I needed to climb down from the top of the concrete
bleachers, but couldn’t reach the aisle. As I was awkwardly climbing around and
between folks sitting in the rows below me, with nothing to hang on except a
couple of shoulders, one of my young assistant coaches, kindly offered her hand
to help steady me. But I immediately thought, “No, I can do this. Does she
think I’m old and clumsy?”
But then remembering when I
missed a step and broke my hip several years ago; and feeling the stiffness in
my knees, I realized I shouldn’t let my pride keep me from admitting to myself that
it’s risky climbing down rows of bleachers; and it would be more embarrassing landing
on top of someone - or worse yet, falling and breaking my other hip. That could
ruin a nice day.
So being the wiser, I took her
arm, which did help as I climbed down the last several rows, and thanked her
for her assistance.
You’ve heard the tips to
prevent falls: know the effects of your medications; improve your strength,
balance, and flexibility through exercise; remove hazards in your house such as
loose rugs and electrical cords; use assistive devices such grab bars for the
showers and handrails on BOTH sides of the stairs; and wear sensible shoes.
(Does anyone wear high heels anymore?)
But often overlooked is
attitude: too proud for our own good. I still want to be the young, strong,
muscular specimen of maleness that I once was. (Isn’t it great how our memories
can reconstruct the past?) But that was then and this is now. And now at my
age, I have finally accepted that it is often best to avoid certain risks, accept
the help when offered and appreciate that someone cares - because you don’t
want to let “pride goeth before a fall” – literally.
Mahjong
is a game of skill and strategy that originated in China, and is similar to the
card game rummy except it uses tiles instead of cards. At the Center on Fridays
at 1:00, you can find folks playing Mahjong led by Corliss Marsh - our expert
in residence. But there has been a growing interest in the game and if you are
interested in learning how to play, there will be a Mahjong Beginner’s Day at
the Center on January 29th starting at 1:00 PM. The cost is $1.00.
There
will not be a Tuesday Lecture at the Center next week because of the AARP Smart
Driver’s class being held at the same time. So instead you can sign up for the Smart
Driver’s class, held on January 18th and 19th from 8:45 – 12:05, by
calling the Center.
If
Southern Fried Chicken reminds you of summer picnics, you can have a piece of
summer in the middle of winter, by attending the Center’s Southern Fried
Chicken Dinner sponsored by Griffith Motors from 4:30 to 7:00 on Friday,
February 5th. The menu includes Southern Fried Chicken, mashed
potatoes, corn, biscuit and dessert. The tickets are $15 which you can purchase
at the Center or at the door while tickets last. All proceeds will benefit the
Center.
At
the Center on January 19th starting at 6:30 PM, the Simcoe Boys will
be performing for your dancing and listening pleasure. Everyone is welcome and
donations are always appreciated.
The
comedic actor and impersonator who played Corporal Randolph Agarn on F
Troop was Larry Storch. (The winners of a free quilt raffle
ticket are Dennis and Mary Davis.)
This
week’s “Remember When” question is about two actresses who were sisters born in
Tokyo to English parents. The elder sister starred in Gone with the Wind and eight movies with Errol Flynn including the Adventures of Robin Hood; and the
younger sister starred in Rebecca and
Suspicion both directed by Alfred
Hitchcock. Who were these two sisters, the only siblings to have won lead
acting Academy Awards? Email your answer
to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, leave a message at 541-296-4788 or mail it with a
picture of the two sisters - before they stopped talking to each other.
Well,
it’s been another week looking in the mirror and all too often asking myself
“Whoa. Have I looked like that all day?” Until we meet again, don’t stop
believing in yourself.
“The
pride of youth is strength and beauty, the pride of old age is discretion.”
Democritus
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