Thursday, January 19, 2017

How Depressing!

I went into our organic co-op (full-sized grocery store, really) this afternoon to pick up a few things along with a special order that had come in for me.

Strolling up and down the aisles, I saw something on a very bottom shelf that I wanted to check out.  Because I need a new prescription in my "up close" glasses (which I have been very neglectful about obtaining in a timely manner), I knelt down on the floor so I could check out the fine print and pricing of the item in which I was interest.

There I was trying to do some figuring in my head, and I suppose I must have had a concerned look on my face (thinking, you know) when a sweet gal who works in the produce section came scurrying down the aisle and said, "Mama Pea (she used my given name, of course), do you need some help?"

"Huh?" I looked up at her and rather stupidly replied.

"Can I, um--uh, help you . . . do you . . . need some help?" the dear girl asked. 

"Oh!  Did you think I needed help getting up?"

Now I could tell she was a bit embarrassed.  "Well . . . I mean, oh no, I just thought . . . " she mumbled.

For the record, although there are those who may think a portion of my brain cells are no longer firing reliably, I'm still in good shape physically and don't yet have any trouble getting up off the floor.  Or ground.  Or from peering onto the bottom shelf of a grocery store.

This whole little incident has convinced me that, vain though you may label it, I'm immediately starting a GoFundMe website so I can get a face lift.  And perhaps some body shaping in the lift and tuck and rearrangement departments.  Maybe even . . . a new prescription for my glasses.

24 comments:

Sue said...

Me thinks there is not a thing wrong with the way you are. They're just making the print on stuff a LOT smaller now. I know this for a fact, because I cannot read labels anymore.
Ha.

Mama Pea said...

Sue - I like the way you think!

DFW said...

None of those other things, except maybe a new script for glasses to make the littly bitty tiny print a bit easier to see.

Mama Pea said...

DFW - I think the other thing is I'll have to be more aware of the expression on my face when I'm thinking! I must have looked . . . distressed!! :o/

Laurie said...

You are such a hoot!

Sandy Livesay said...

Mama Pea,

Anything on a bottom shelve requires a close up look. I think stores deliberately print labels in small print. I'm sure my grandson will become a plastic surgeon when he grows up. So when he's done taking care of me with the nip and tucks, I'll send him your way. In the mean time, I think both you and I need new glasses :-)

Hugs,
Sandy

Goatldi said...

I think you are just fine the way you are. Anyway how would we recognize you? Sue what a comfort your statement is. All this time I thought it was only me maturing with visual challenges. Nice company to be in Ladies.

Erin said...

I can't do anything anymore without my glasses! I swear we can see just FINE, it's the labeling companies that are messing with us! I too, am in need of an updated prescription.

Leigh said...

LOL. I remember freaking out on my 51st birthday when the little gal at the checkout asked if I qualified for the 65 and older discount. I immediately bought hair dye (something I later regretted). Knee jerk reaction!

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

I'm right there with you, ha ha! Trying to get back up most days.

Mama Pea said...

Laurie - I think remembering to keep our sense of humor (or maybe develop a stronger one!) is the only way to survive no longer looking 25 anymore! ;o]

Mama Pea said...

Sandy - A plastic surgeon in the family? How convenient! How many more years do we have to wait for him to go into the nip and tuck business? ;o}

Mama Pea said...

Goatldi - And the wisdom we have as we age! Oh my, yes, we are in good company! (Now where did I leave my walker??)

Mama Pea said...

Erin - I do think it's true that the printing on labels is smaller . . . they need to do that to list all the blankety-blank chemicals in everything!

Mama Pea said...

Leigh - Ouch! What we need to do is change our society's feelings toward "older" folks. We don't revere them for their experience and wisdom, but rather dismiss them as no longer useful. Part of the new (but not good in my opinion) throw-away society?? (Ooops, didn't mean to get all serious here.)

Mama Pea said...

Kristina - After what you've been through the past few months, you've got good reason for "trying to get back up!"

Susan said...

Don't change a thing! You are perfect the way you are!!! I am finding, myself, that it takes a lot more maneuvering to get myself up than it used to.

Mama Pea said...

Susan - Perfect! Ha!! The only time that word has been used in reference to me is for someone to say in exasperation that I'm perfectly . . . oh, never mind.

Lisa B said...

Rats, lady! I have trouble getting up from my knees. Course the wreck and some other injuries are the culprit but still.... you go MamaPea.

Mama Pea said...

Lisa - For gosh sake's, girl, with your life style of daily handling large animals, hay bales, machinery, etc. (and yes, the wreck injuries, too) it's no wonder your knees are a little creaky! (Doesn't stop you though, does it?) :o)

Michelle said...

Bless that young lady for noticing and offering her help, instead of looking the other way. Celebrate compassion whenever we see it!

Mama Pea said...

Michelle - I did go and find her before I checked out. Gave her a hug and told her she was a sweetheart for her concern . . . and asked if she had to help "little old ladies" often. We both laughed as she replied that she always responded to the store loud speaker: "Lady down on Aisle 3. Lady down on Aisle 3." ;o}

Anonymous said...

May I suggest that, on many levels, we can get better and stronger as we age! I think back to my rough start in life: a childhood challenged by body casts, leg braces and years of physical therapy. As a young adult, I intuitively knew that the best way to get stronger was to have an active lifestyle and not become stuck behind an office desk for 8 to 10 hours a day. Switching to homesteading almost 30 years ago has done wonders. Today I can garden full time, walk, hike or snowshoe for miles, handle hundreds of pounds of wood on a regular basis and all the little jobs required by this chosen lifestyle. That said,I am not as strong as I really want to be; I respect and accomodate my limitations (If I fell at the store I, most likely, would need that help getting up!) But I am grateful for how I've improved over the years. Being active is the best therapy and anti-aging medicine--besides eating properly. And you, my dear, are a sterling example to all of us! I tip my hat to you! -M

Mama Pea said...

M - What can I say other than . . . where should I send your money?

I so agree with you that being active (and happy!) is the best anti-aging medicine!