My dad’s hearing isn’t quite what it used to be. He turns up the volume to high when he watches television and, more often than not, I have to repeat things two or three times before he hears what I’m saying. When I call him on this—I jokingly ask him if he’s going deaf in his old age—he angrily says his poor hearing has nothing to do with age. He blames it on a lifetime of being a basketball referee and blowing his whistle too many times over the years. Maybe this is a contributing factor, but I and the rest of the family know it’s primarily because he’s getting older. (He’s 63.)

Then there’s my mother’s forgetfulness. Her mind may be sharp—she reminds me of this often—but, lately, she tends to repeat herself more often than in the past. After she relays the same information to me for the third time, I kid her about it. Her excuse is that I am the one who tends to forget things so her repetition is for my benefit. Whatever the reason—and I think it’s because she is getting older (she’s 62) and forgets what she says—she is driving me crazy!

Speaking of driving, both of my parents have acquired the bad driving habits that seem to mark those in their senior years. My dad doesn’t always stay within the lane lines; my mom sometimes drives considerably less than the speed limit.

Riding with them has become an activity I dread. I try, I really do, to keep my mouth shut, but when they seem to be oblivious to the stopped traffic ahead or their turns are less than smooth, I no longer can refrain from yelling out driving tips. I guess I could be nicer and avoid telling my mom that she drives like “an old lady” or informing my dad that he drives like he’s lost his mind, but I can’t help it! I really would like to reach my 24th birthday!

Another change with my parents is their style of dress. My dad has never been a good dresser and has never worried about how he looks, but this seems to get worse each year. I tell him that with his wardrobe he’s definitely a candidate for America’s Worst Dress List. He doesn’t think this is funny! My mother usually dresses pretty well outside the home, but around the house she wears the same ugly blue sweater, because, she says, she’s always cold. (Isn’t this another sign of advancing age?) I bought her a couple of new and more fashionable sweaters over the years, but she insists upon wearing the worn “granny” number. (She hates the “granny” description I’ve given this garment.)

I know I can’t stop my parents from getting older, but I’m going to have to try to stop my comments about anything to do with their age. I’ve got to let them believe that they are still young. (Now this is what is humorous!) I have learned the hard way that for peace to reign in our domain, I need to be gentle about the way I handle this stage in their lives.