Older Americans Month

Where have I been all these years? I just discovered that since 1977 May is observed nationwide as Older Americans Month. In addition the third Tuesday in May is observed as Senior Citizens Day. Wow! One whole month devoted to people like me. It doesn’t get any better.

Hold up a minute. May is Older Americans Month. The third Tuesday in May is Senior Citizens Day. If I’m not mistaken Older Americans are Senior Citizens, so what’s so special about the third Tuesday? Unless my gray cells have faded away it looks like overkill. On the other hand, is it because Senior Citizens are a subset of Older Americans? I can hardly wait for the third Tuesday to roll around to experience the adulation of my friends and family. My guess is that someone had a senior moment and the third Tuesday will be like all Tuesdays -the day after Monday!

So why do Governor’s go out of their way to proclaim an Older Americans Month? For one thing they need our vote. Aside from that it appears that there is a desire to celebrate the contributions older citizens have made to society. Supposedly it is a chance for communities to give back and recognize the accomplishments of their elders. That being the case, how come it has taken me thirty-two years to find out that May is a special month for old codgers.

I got my answer by reading on about Older Americans Month. Apparently it will encourage seniors to celebrate their uniqueness and redefine what it means to grow old. The idea is to age actively and to live life to the fullest . Ohio's theme for Older Americans Month 2009 is: "Reinvent Yourself, Reinvent Aging."

I’m all for that. Get rid of the walkers and the canes, get a prescription for Viagara, dye your hair, learn to Twitter, buy a convertible. If you don’t dwell on being a senior you could care less about special months and days to remind you that you are older than you think. What’s the old adage , “There is no fool like an old fool”.

One final thought , why May to celebrate seniors? September seems more appropriate. The September Song lyrics make a case for  a realistic assessment of being a senior.

Oh, it's a long, long while
From May to December
But the days grow short,
When you reach September.
When the autumn weather
Turn leaves to flame
One hasn't got time
For the waiting game.
Oh the days dwindle down
To a precious few . . .
September, November . . .
And these few precious days
I'll spend with you.

Songwriters: Anderson, Maxwell; Weill, Kurt