BILL EGGERT

Bill Eggert

Related Photos

Bill Eggert Todd Berkey

Discussion

March 18, 2012

BILL EGGERT | Growing old gracefully

Bill Eggert For The Tribune-Democrat The Tribune-Democrat Sun Mar 18, 2012, 10:54 PM EDT

— Some time ago, long before the Internet, a curious reporter sent the following telegram to legendary and ageless movie star Cary Grant: “How old Cary Grant?” The witty Grant fired back this telegram: “Old Cary Grant fine. How you?” It appears even the age-defying Grant was a bit sensitive about his age.

Of course, those of a certain age remember one of beloved comedian Jack Benny’s running gags was his sensitivity to his age. When asked how old he was, after a laugh-filled pregnant pause, Benny would say “39.” And Benny stayed 39 for the next 41 years, until he passed at age 80. We all laughed at this joke because we all get a bit sensitive about our age.

When we were kids we could not wait to turn 21. And yet when we did turn 21 it was like we hit an ice patch, and we were soon 30, and even worse, 40. The years seem to fly by as we reach adulthood, probably because we are busier with more responsibilities.

The reason for this rumination on age is that this month I celebrate another birthday.

While it is not a milestone birthday ending in ‘0,’ they still seem to smart a bit after 40.

Maybe that’s why Benny’s age 39 was so funny: It marks the last year of ‘youth.’

Even worse, my generation, the boomers (born between 1946-1964), were known for their celebration of youth: Never trust anyone over 30.

That first wave of boomers is now entering retirement. Even converting my age into dog years is depressing. People tell me I look good for my age (a mixed compliment at best), and I do look about 10 to 15 years younger than I am.

My parents’ good genes must take credit for that. I tell people the reason I look young is because of a blood transfusion I once had from Dick Clark.

Of course, given my past health issues, I should be glad to be even around to celebrate another birthday. I guess we should all feel lucky to still be walking around this planet; we never know when it will be time to go. My dad and his generation were very philosophical about that. They accepted that inevitability and never worried about it. My generation obsesses about it, and I don’t blame them. There are constant reminders for us growing old: Aches and pains in joints as we get up each morning, watching those crows’ feet become more pronounced on our reflection in the mirror, having the bag boy at the grocery store call you “Sir.” They are watershed moments where life gently reminds you of growing older.

The problem as we age is not only dealing with challenges from aging, but dealing with a society and culture obsessed with youth. Youth must be served, as the saying goes. As we grow old our reference points become null and void to a younger society.

My long-running joke about being frequently mistaken for Tom Selleck is rapidly losing its relevance to a younger generation not familiar with the ’80s television icon. It seems the older we get the more invisible we become. As Eric Clapton sang in “Bell Bottom Blues:” “I don’t want to fade away…” It is a fear we all have as we grow older.

As I grow older I frequently think back to replicant (robot) Roy Batty’s (Rutger Hauer) dying speech in the 1982 sci-fi film “Blade Runner,” where he tells Harrison Ford’s character of memories unique to being a replicant.

“I’ve seen things you people wouldn’t believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched c-beams glitter in the dark near the Tanhauser Gate. All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in the rain. Time to die …”

We all have special memories unique to us as we navigate through life. Sharing these memories with others, especially those younger than us, can serve as cautionary tales to help guide them through their lives. Or not. But by sharing those memories with others helps validate our own existence in some way. It is a small consolation to share memories with others as we grow older, and hopefully, grow old gracefully in the process. Unless you believe in reincarnation, we only get to do this once. So let’s make it count …

Bill Eggert is a Johnstown resident. He writes an occasional column.

Click here to subscribe to The Tribune-Democrat print edition.

Click here to subscribe to The Tribune-Democrat e-edition.

Text Only | Photo Reprints

Bill Eggert

BILL EGGERT | Challenges confront Catholic Church locally and abroad
My mom has advised me on numerous occasions to avoid the topics of politics and religion in my column. Being an obedient son, I occasionally ignore her advice while tending to temper my remarks on said subjects.

February 23, 2013
BILL EGGERT | Photographs and memories: Capturing the past
When I visited my mom this past Christmas I discovered she had a couple of boxes out from the attic of old black and white photos of various family members, many now unfortunately gone. All we have left are the memories and photographs of those who touched our lives and those who passed before we were born. How fortunate we all are to have this amazing invention of photography (and now digital photography) to preserve people and memories, like archeological bugs in amber.

February 9, 2013
BILL EGGERT | Anniversary reflections: Looking back over past 6 years
January marks the sixth anniversary of my column in The Tribune-Democrat. As I embark on the seventh year of my column, I reflect back on the previous six years.

January 27, 2013 1 Photo
BILL EGGERT | Oscar the Grouch: Remembering Jack Klugman
We have lost another television icon recently. A versatile and highly respected character actor of stage, screen and television, Jack Klugman’s career spanned approximately 60 years. His performances garnered three Emmy Awards and several additional nominations. Klugman’s Broadway credits include “Golden Boy,” Gypsy” and “The Odd Couple.” His film credits include memorable performances in “12 Angry Men” (1957), “Days of Wine and Roses” (1962) and “Goodbye Columbus” (1969).

January 20, 2013
BILL EGGERT | Remembering the Great One: Roberto Clemente
New Year’s Eve 1972: A date that began with much joy and anticipation in western Pennsylvania, but ended with much sadness.

January 12, 2013 1 Photo
BILL EGGERT | The Feast of the Immaculate Reception
Imagine, if you will, a 40-year-old professional football franchise, a laughingstock organization celebrated for its ineptitude, owned by a colorful yet saintly cigar-smoking Irishman. Originally called the Pirates and later the Steelers, the team was dubbed by the media and long-frustrated fans as “Rooney U,” whose proficiency was of college level, reflecting the team’s lack of success in the NFL.
But in their 40th year, on a cold December afternoon, in a matter of 22 seconds, the city and the team’s fortunes, mindset and image went from loser to winner in that Cinderella moment - forever known as the “Feast of the Immaculate Reception.”

December 23, 2012 1 Photo
BILL EGGERT | 50 years later, movie fans still bonding with 007
While next year marks the 60th anniversary of his literary debut by author Ian Fleming, this year celebrates the 50th anniversary of secret agent extraordinaire James Bond in motion pictures, with the latest Bond film “Skyfall” opening in theaters.

November 17, 2012
BILL EGGERT | Best friends forever
I find it remarkable that so many folks, especially young people, have literally hundreds of friends on their Facebook page. They have not been alive long enough to have that many friends, much less acquaintances.

September 23, 2012 1 Photo
BILL EGGERT | Space program gave us stars with right stuff
Those of a certain age remember when our space program was in its infancy, in a tight race with the Soviet Union.

September 8, 2012 1 Photo
BILL EGGERT | Semper Fi
Where has the summer gone? Already the days are growing shorter and cooler. The fireflies, a popular staple of summer nights, are already almost gone, not to be seen again until next summer. The Perseid meteor shower, another sign of the close of summer, has come and gone. August is almost over, and Labor Day, the unofficial end of summer, is fast approaching.

August 25, 2012
More Bill Eggert Headlines

Search Results

Related Photos

Discussion

BILL EGGERT | Growing old gracefully

Should Pennsylvania privatize portions of the state prison system?

Contact Us