There was a time where I dazzled coworkers with my phenomenal memory. I could tell them the month and year of an internal company memo.
Seriously.
Then boomer brain took over.
- People swear they tell me things I do not remember
- I constantly walk into rooms and forget what I wanted
- I have brain farts right in the middle of a sentence
And then I remember something taught to me in the 4th grade ~
Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis
It’s a lung disease – with 45 letters. Our 4th grade teacher wrote it on the blackboard and taught us how to pronounce it and spell it.
And this I remember?
Isn’t the human brain fascinating?
Surreal
I turned 60 last November. My hairdresser reached the same pinnacle earlier in the year. She asked me what I thought about turning 60.
- I told her I had one word for it – surreal
- She thought it was a good description
When I first developed boomer brain, I was devastated.
I had empathy (and understanding) for my father, who also had a phenomenal memory – until he started having a series of mini-strokes. He became frustrated with his memory lapses.
Tack on all the changes to your body and it’s a laugh a minute.
New Body Parts
I will be participating in my 9th 3-Day, 60-Mile Walk for the Cure in November. This wonderful event has helped throw me back in shape.
Or so I thought.
A few days ago, while out walking, I took a noser on a sidewalk elevated 10-12 inches on one side.
- I scraped both knees (see below)
- I bruised my temple and left shoulder
But, I didn’t even rip my pants. One of those strange phenomenons – like remembering 45-letter words from the 4th grade.
When we’re young, we would run home to Mom crying. She’d kiss our injuries and we’d run back outside to play. Not at this stage of my boomer life.
I discovered parts I didn’t know I had. No kiss from Mom was going to chase these maladies away.
The Good News
Despite boomer brain and the other strange maladies of growing older, there are good things about aging – at least for me.
- You smile at things that used to freak you out
- You feel so much calmer and dismiss what’s not worth the energy
- You rediscover the things you treasured as a child – family, nature, friends
That sounds like the cards are stacked in my favor.
=================
Live…Laugh…Love
=================
P.S. I will be out of town at a family wedding. I don’t return until next week. So, if I don’t respond to your comment right away, that’s my excuse. We know it couldn’t be my boomer brain.
Cathy, I never thought of it as boomer brain but yes I will celebrate having boomer brain. I chose what I remember and can use age to explain my choice away. And life is for living as never before so let’s celebrate life – Here’s to Life – L’Chaim
I agree, Roberta. Life is certainly worth living. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by and sharing boomer brain. 🙂
I have notice when I was younger that discounts were afforded those who attained the age of 55. Then, as I approached that age, it became 62, and now- 65. Ah, well, we have to keep reaching for something, eh?
Hard to catch a moving target, eh, Roy? 🙂 Thanks for stopping by.
At the ripe of old age of 41 the slip is rare, but does happen occasionally. The one thing I have noticed, (and it seemed overnight) my athletic ability is deteriorating quickly. I hope for a resurgence but it’s doubtful.
Hope springs eternal, Wade. 🙂
Hey Cathy,
Sorry about your knees. It looks like it hoit a little bit 🙁
I’ve never heard of ‘boomer brain’ but it certainly describes me and I’m on the fringes of boomerism since I was born in ’65. I can’t remember what I had for breakfast this morning but I can remember things that happened when I was in elementary school.
Thanks, Ramiro. It is strange the way our brain works – or doesn’t 🙂 Thanks for stopping by, Ramiro.
Hope you feel better soon, Cathy. I agree with the good news and I’d add: ‘you rediscover your inner child, and don’t care what anyone thinks of that’. 🙂
Great addition, Sharon! Thanks for sharing it. 🙂
I love this post, Cathy (except for your poor knees – so sorry about that). I’ve had Boomer Brain for most of my life, or at least that’s what I can call it now! I love the idea of being calmer and rediscovering an inner child. Thank you for sharing such wisdom!
Thanks, Suerae. 🙂 Enjoy your inner child.
lol, I share your experience Cathy, boomer brain, mysterious aches and pains, etc. I also share the good stuff.
Anne: And I love sharing the journey with you. 🙂
I am sorry to hear about your fall. I hope that you heal quickly! I love your positive perspective in the face of frustration!! Keep well!