Aging baby boomers

We had a wonderful holiday with our family. The weather was not as nice as we would have liked, but the food was fantastic, first day at Dina’s and second day at Simmie’s. My cheesecake seemed to be a big hit. I just hope no one is having cholesterol levels checked this week.

We had to come back to New York early this morning because Barry had meetings he had to attend in person. We stopped briefly along I-95 in Connecticut to use the facilities and purchase drinks. While we were there, the PA system was playing ZZ Top’s “Sharp Dressed Man.” We saw them perform once years ago, and when I am in the right mood I still enjoy their music. But I was scratching my head hearing this at a highway rest stop. Who listens to ZZ Top? Is this something families are playing for their children? Rest stops along the highway are filled with families and children of all ages. Here are the lyrics and a video of the band:

Clean shirt, new shoes

And I don't know what I am gonna do.

Silk suit, black tie,

I don't need a reason why.

They come runnin' just as fast as they can

'Cause every girl is crazy 'bout a sharp dressed man.

Gold watch, diamond ring,

I ain't missin' not a single thing.

Cuff-links, stick pin

When I step out I'm gonna do you in.

They come a runnin' just as fast as they can

'Cause every girl is crazy 'bout a sharp dressed man.

Top coat, top hat,

And I don't worry cause my wallet’s fat.

Black shades, white gloves,

Lookin' sharp, lookin' for love.

They come runnin' just as fast as they can

'Cause every girl is crazy 'bout a sharp dressed man.

The best I can say is that these lyrics are virtually impossible to comprehend from listening to the song, so that the message and the fact that they are clobbering the English language is likely lost on the majority of listeners. Truth be told, I never knew many of the lyrics until looking it up today.

We baby boomers have a pretty self-centered view of the world. While it is true that many movies and television shows target a younger audience (although so few of the target audience actually watch TV the way people used to), we are accustomed to calling the shots. But as we age we will inevitably lose that control, and I doubt this will go down too easily. One of the things I have started to ponder lately is that, sooner or later, not only will we be retired, but many of our doctors, lawyers, accountants and financial advisors, who are generally our age, may also retire. Then what? We will be a bunch of old people being treated or advised by strangers who are “kids.” They will never even have heard of ZZ Top! A few years ago, when I was looking for a new internist, just by luck I ended up with someone quite a bit younger. I guess I am now counting on her to provide some continuity in my medical care over the coming years, and I hope that the other professionals with whom we work will bring in younger folks to help ensure a transition plan is in place. Still, it is a bit unsettling to have spent all these years establishing a comfortable network of people to guide us through all these things only to have to rebuild it as we enter this next phase.

Even though we just completed a two-day holiday, I am headed back to the kitchen to prepare for Shabbat. At least the weather forecast for these next few days is glorious.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Love,

Rebecca