I’m thankful for the stored up trove of good memories and shared experiences as we begin the joy of aging together. Not that we are OLD, mind you. We are just slipping rapidly into the joys of middle age. This is the time of life where previously silent body parts have joined the audible party. Some mornings getting out of bed sounds like a Neil Peart rehearsal – all percussion instruments sounding off in seemingly random rhythms. It isn’t only our bodies changing either. Perhaps it is the stress of living as the “sandwich generation” attempting to care for our offspring as well as aging parents, but we seem to be getting more scatterbrained as the months go on. Finding keys, remote controls, wallets, glasses and even tickets put in “a safe place” has become a giant time suck. We would keep these things in one place- but we forget to do it. I try to think of it as a bonding experience. Nothing says love like sticking your hand into the pocket of your spouse’s sweaty cast off gym clothes seeking a lost work ID badge.
But my new favorite part of growing old together as a couple is being responsible for remembering one another’s likes and dislikes. As in, “Honey, I don’t remember. Do I like tilapia?” There was a time- not all that long ago- when overhearing this would have made me roll my eyes and mock the couple. Now I get it.
I have so many other things on my mind and a fish entree just isn’t one of them. So, I can turn to the person who has been with me in other tilapia-type situations for help. When my recall fails, I can lean on my husband's memory and he can lean back on me. Sometimes the answer is, “I have no idea if you like tilapia.” But there have been great saves made by asking those types of questions.
For example, I do not like tilapia. At. All.
And I don't even have to remember it.