OLD AGE TRANSITIONS

Combating mental sclerosis

Here’s the old age paradox. For the past 25 years we’ve migrated semi-annually between Vermont and San Diego. Winter tennis, ocean swimming, getting outdoors for walking virtually every day (well, not so much this fraught wet, cold winter) has, so we tell ourselves, kept us active and alert.

Because we rent in San Diego, it has also meant several moves over the years as our lease ran out or our rental was sold. That has proved a challenge. I am not as flexible as I once was. Lacey might tell you I was never that flexible, but now even less so.

We have always known that this happy arrangement has a sell-buy date. Vermont is home but it’s been a long time since we’ve done a Vermont winter.

The paradox is that this has kept us from mental sclerosis (we think), and it has also become increasingly challenging to put things in storage, negotiate new leases, make the day-long flight with our overactive terrier.

What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, until it kills you.