Getting old is no picnic. Believe me, I know.
Magnifying glasses to read instructions on prescriptions, television so loud that neighbors know you’re sneaking Korean soap operas, joints slowly (or suddenly) out of whack, sagging skin with brown spots, mysterious lumps of dimpled fat, facial lines like tangled fish net … need I go on?
To all this moaning and groaning, my mother who at 95 was still managing her meds and checkbook would say, “No can help! Body just like one car. No last forever. Main ting is the mind!” she said, tapping her forehead.
Considering the alternative to getting old, I guess it’s OK. I’m happy to continue being a thorn in the sides of adult offspring who in their own middle age are realizing that the road in the rear view mirror is longer than the one ahead. Not only that, but when they contemplate their future, it looks like … me. What a surprise.
So, yes, here I am, falling-down old and decrepit but still chugging along, body parts stalling and brain a little sluggish but in working order, more or less.
Which brings me to the place we’re at in U.S. politics where it looks like two really old candidates might be vying for the 2024 presidency. One just turned 80, and the other soon will.
First there’s the guy who’s like your Uncle Loopy, telling the same jokes over and over, tripping on furniture and slipping you a dollar here and there. He belongs to the bowling league and throws mostly gutter balls.
The other is completely opposite: Uncle Shady, who tries to look down your blouse and asks if you have a few bucks to spare even though da buggah get his own money. This uncle is a member of the country club and cheats at golf.
(Full disclosure: None of my uncles were anything like these two.)
But in recent polling, almost half of eligible voters insist they don’t want hair-plug smiley but opt instead for orange-dyed sleazo because apparently in the United States of America, being old is unforgivable but being indicted is perfectly acceptable.
No wonder American standing around the globe is going down the toilet.
Maybe old age is a factor when running for public office because the Grim Reaper is lurking, but — news flash! — he lurks for everyone. However, if mental capabilities are compromised, then it’s not a good idea to have a job determining laws for the entire country. And yet, being old does not automatically mean that cognition and judgment are impaired, nor does being young imply that cognition and judgment are intact.
Most of us antiques can recall stupid things we did in our younger days and don’t we wish for a do-over. Through the years, let’s hope we’ve gained some wisdom, but age does not guarantee it. We all know oldsters who carry on like silly teenagers and youngsters who are old souls.
If age is not the primary factor for elective office, then what is? In my opinion, what counts is doing the right thing for yourself, your family, community, state and country. The Hawaiian word for this is pono. When choosing a leader, I look for someone who doesn’t just talk about doing what’s right but whose personal actions reflect it.
Pono may not easily defined, but I think most of us know what is pono, the same way we can recognize what is not pono.
So, back to the two old guys who want to be the next president. Is one more pono than the other?
You decide.
Rochelle delaCruz was born in Hilo, graduated from Hilo High School, then left to go to college. After teaching for 30 years in Seattle, Wash., she retired and returned home to Hawaii. She welcomes your comments at rainysideview@gmail.com. Her column is published the first Monday of each month.
