• About
  • Credit Card Basics
  • Mortgage Basics
  • $40K Challenge
  • Aunt Doris
  • Grandfather Says
  • Privacy
  • Archives
  • Insiders

Len Penzo dot Com

The offbeat personal finance blog for responsible people.

My Nonagenarian Aunt Doris Shares Her Thoughts On Growing Old

By Aunt Doris

This is the first post of an occasional series from my dear Aunt Doris, who passed away in 2015 at the age of 94.

Doris

I wish everybody could have an Aunt Doris in their family.

When you buy a refrigerator, or a car, or even a teakettle, you get a booklet that tells you what to expect, how it works, and basically what to do in the case it doesn’t work. We humans don’t have that luxury, we simply go along thinking: Oh, I’m going to live forever!

But then — bam! — it starts. For me, getting old started with an innocent little twinge.

Then, one day, I looked in the mirror and discovered that I had broken out in wrinkles. And now I not only look like my mother, but my grandmother too.

Each passing year has brought me a new twinge.

Eventually I found myself grunting every time I got up or sat down.

Remember the old television show Sanford & Son starring the late Redd Foxx? His venerable character, Fred Sanford, used to clutch his heart and look to the sky as he’d cry to his late wife, “I’m coming, Elizabeth!” I feel the same way now, not that “Elizabeth” would ever know me.

I used to go all day in the mall. Now sometimes it takes me that long just to go to the restroom — but that’s another story.

I used to run like the wind, but now I get winded getting out of a chair.

My hair is falling out.

The thing is, although I’m almost 91, my brain still works as well today as it did when I was 21.

Life’s funny that way.

 

Related Posts:
  • My 12-Year-Old Daughter Shares Her Secrets for Saving MoneyMy 12-Year-Old Daughter Shares Her Secrets for Saving Money
  • My 13-Year-Old Daughter Shares Her Financial FearsMy 13-Year-Old Daughter Shares Her Financial Fears
  • A Few Thoughts from Aunt Doris: The Gift of LaughterA Few Thoughts from Aunt Doris: The Gift of Laughter

13 Comments October 19, 2011

Comments

  1. 1

    Kris @ Everyday Tips says

    Thanks for writing today Aunt Doris. I would love to hear more of your insights, there is so much you could share that would teach all of us!

    I remember watching Sanford and Son like it was yesterday. I wonder what it was like for Lamont when his dad was always acting like he so upset he was having constant heart attacks. Kind of cruel now that I think about it! 🙂

    Reply
  2. 2

    nansuelee says

    I have an “Aunt Doris” I call her Grandma. She is 87 and although she is facing some health issues she is still possitive an for the most part joyful. She taught me as I was growing up to make a feast for guests from the leftovers in the fridge, that any occasion is cause for a party, sometimes get the fancy stuff out for regular days and to be a gracious host. The doctors say she may not be with us for more than a few months. The world will be a little dimmer without her.

    Reply
  3. 3

    tracee says

    Thanks for writing Aunt Doris! It was a great article.

    Reply
  4. 4

    Joe D. says

    Love this article. Nice, Aunt Doris. Len, we need more guest posts from this great woman!

    Reply
  5. 5

    Dr Dean says

    Aunt Doris, what would you say was your best personal finance advice for a young couple getting started and what was your own biggest money mistake?

    Yea that’s two posts for the new column for you Len.
    No charge!

    Reply
  6. 6

    Krantcents says

    I am turning 65 years old next month and so far no twinges. I have a feeling that I am running so fast that I am just staying ahead of it. I expect it will suddenly just overtake me as I slow down. Is that the way it happens? BTW, my Mom live to just shy of 99. I found out recently that she lied about her age (by 1 year) when she immigrated.

    Reply
  7. 7

    Monevator says

    Beautiful, inspiring and sad. 🙂

    Reply
  8. 8

    Marie at Aging Bodies says

    Nice post.
    When I was young, I used to think that I would NEVER get gray hair, grow fat or complain that my back hurts. HA. Now I am in my sixties and starting to see the effects of aging (that apparently start when we make it past 20 and just keep on coming).

    Reply
    • 9

      Len Penzo says

      Funny how the passage of time sneaks up on all of us, Marie.

      Reply
  9. 10

    Teri Justice says

    Dear Aunt Doris, I hear you. I happened upon Len’s website and now thank you because I need to be lifted and reminded. It is July 2019 and your voice is still very strong, loving and intelligent.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Grandfather Says: One Good Thing About Getting Old - Len Penzo dot Com says:
    August 24, 2017 at 11:11 am

    […] good thing about getting old — and there aren’t many — is that you can blame a whole lot of things on your […]

    Reply
  2. Grandfather Says: The Meaning of Life – Len Penzo dot Com says:
    October 4, 2018 at 4:15 am

    […] sees where someone wrote Len that the best thing about getting old is just getting […]

    Reply
  3. My Potato Chip Taste Test: Are Lay’s Really Worth Paying More For? – Len Penzo dot Com says:
    March 31, 2019 at 8:58 am

    […] Doris Birthplace: London, England Age: Ninety-something. Most money ever found: 20 (Presumably in a London bomb […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply to Grandfather Says: The Meaning of Life – Len Penzo dot Com Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Question of the Week:

How old were you when you bought your first home?

View Results

Loading ... Loading ...

Recent Posts

  • Black Coffee: Smiling Faces and Reassuring Voices
  • Expecting the Unexpected: Managing Finances When You Become Disabled
  • 100 Words On: Why Buying in Bulk Is Not Always a Smart Idea
  • The Importance of Creating Professional Invoices for Your Business
  • 7 Basic Financial Goals Everyone Should Strive For
  • 10 Key Characteristics of Debt-Free People
  • Black Coffee: Egg Nog and Seed Corn
  • 8 Clever Low-Cost Homemade Gifts Everyone Will Enjoy
  • Grandfather Says: The Story of the Cowhide Guitar
  • How to Save Money While Helping Your New Business Thrive

Disclaimer

This site is for informational and entertainment purposes only, and the content herein should not be mistaken for professional financial advice. This website accepts advertising in the form of monetary and other compensation; as such, topics of discussion are occasionally influenced by these advertisers. Occasionally, some articles may also include affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, this blog earns a commission if you click through and make a purchase (for example, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases). Remember, you and you alone are responsible for the decisions you make in life, so please contact an independent financial professional for advice regarding your unique personal situation.

Popular Now:

  1. 1. Sneaky Pizza Delivery Fees Are Here to Stay (and Why It’s Your Fault)
  2. 2. Debt Elimination: The Pros and Cons of Dave Ramsey’s Baby Steps
  3. 3. Drop the Guilt: How to Splurge Without Beaking the Bank
  4. 4. How to Find a Low-Priced Plumber Who Won’t Rip You Off
  5. 5. 11 Retirement Saving Tips for Twentysomethings (& Older Folks Too!)
  6. 6. 16 Extreme Ways to Increase Your Monthly Savings
  7. 7. Why I Prefer a Spreadsheet to Track Expenses and Manage My Finances
  8. 8. The 13 Most Important Items to Keep In a Fireproof Safe
  9. 9. Be Careful, Priceline Users: Name a Wrong Price and You May End Up in Jail
  10. 10. Len Penzo dot Com: Celebrating 10 Years and 10 Million Page Views!

All-Time Most Popular:

  1. 1. 19 Things Your Suburban Millionaire Neighbor Won’t Tell You
  2. 2. Dear Friend: Here Are 41 Reasons Why I’m NOT Lending You the Money
  3. 3. Why Your Expensive Luxury Car Doesn’t Impress Smart People
  4. 4. If You Can’t Live on $40,000 Annually It’s Your Own Fault
  5. 5. 21 Reasons Why Corner Lots Are for Suckers
  6. 6. 4 Smart Reasons Why College Isn’t for Everyone
  7. 7. 18 Fast Facts About Social Security Numbers
  8. 8. My Ketchup Taste Test: Upset! Guess Which Brand Topped Heinz
  9. 9. Why I Prefer a Spreadsheet to Track Expenses and Manage My Finances
  10. 10. Here’s a Simple Trick for Getting Credit Card Interest Charges Waived

Copyright © 2019 Len Penzo dot Com · All Rights Reserved · Designed by Nuts and Bolts Media

Copyright © 2019 · Penzo on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in