THAT OLD FOOL

Old age fell on me like a ton of bricks. I should have seen the signs, but I didn’t. Hells afire, I felt good, looked good and was able to do as I damned well pleased. Life was great! I guess that is the reason I didn’t recognize the signs.

Signs like when you go to the doctor’s office and the nurse greets you with, "How are we feeling today?"

You feel like replying "I don’t know how you are feeling but I feel great!" But you are a mature person and wouldn’t think of saying something like that!

Or at the motel registration desk, "But sir, you must show us an AARP card to qualify for a discount."

You reply, "I don’t like AARP, I consider them to be a bunch of blackmailers."

"Sorry sir, but that IS our policy." You get angry, mouth off and they toss your tired old butt out and you sleep in your car!

How about "Dad, you should……"

He don’t even use the term "I THINK you should." At this point in life your son has started to think for you. You are now definitely senile!

You are definitely old when your grandson says, "Grandpa, tell us about the time you helped Old Abe split rails!"

These things are said in jest. There is however, an undercurrent of disrespect toward elderly people loose within our present day society. We see it all around us. In an effort to be helpful I recently suggested a simple solution to a young man with a problem and he shouted, "Who in the hell do you think you are?" I just turned and walked away. As I departed I heard him say "That old fool don’t know crap." To this growing disrespectful group of people I feel like saying

I’m the man who climbed the mountain,
I’m the one who went to sea.
I’m the man who fought the battles
To keep our country free!
I’m the friend who stood beside you
When you broke every rule.
I am Grandpa to your children
But I’m known as that old fool!

I’m the man who preached the gospel,
I’m the singer of the song.
I’m the one you asked for guidance
When everything went wrong.
I’m the man who made the tractor
That replaced the stubborn mule.
I am Grandpa to your children
But I’m known as that old fool!

I’m a true son of tradition.
I’m the man who paved the road.
I’m the pal who walked beside you
And helped you tote the load.
I’m the composer of the music.
I’m the builder of the school.
I am Grandpa to your children
But I’m known as that old fool!

I’m a winner! I’m a loser!
I’m the man who paid his dues.
I’m the one who weeps in the silence
And I once wore your shoes!
I am super stud from yesteryear.
I’m the one they all called cool.
I am Grandpa to your children
But I’m known as that old fool!

I’m the man you mugged on Lonely Street.
I’m the one who couldn’t pay
The price you charged to cure my ills.
I’m the man you turned away.
I’m the one who turned the other cheek
And I wrote the Golden Rule!
I am Grandpa to your children
But I’m known as that old fool!