Dates, Times, and All That Stuff

Life changes and what used to be, is no more, including "when"...

Dates, Times, and All That Stuff
By Sharzi Lynn

When you're working, life is all about calendars and clocks. You wake up to an alarm. You check your calendar religiously. For years, I reminded people over the phone about payment dates and deadlines. It was routine. I always knew the time - whether from my phone, my computer, or the trusty wall calendar, covered in scribbles and daily notes. It was all second nature.

And then, you retire.

Suddenly, there's no need to set an alarm or be anywhere at any particular time. You stop knowing what day it is. I know that sounds ridiculous, but it's real. My doctor recently asked me what day of the week it was - and I just stared at her like a deer in headlights. After a moment of panic and a quick mental search through the days, I got it right. Barely. But for the next several minutes, I silently panicked. Was this early dementia? Was my brain quietly giving up on me?

Of course not.

(I think.)

Truth is, I still go all-out decorating for holidays like a woman possessed. But this year, Easter snuck up on me like a ninja. I thought it was next month. So my poor Easter decor stayed boxed up - no crosses, no pastel eggs, no bunnies or baskets and my beautiful Easter village never made it onto my pastel table runner. My house was a festive-free zone. Oh the humiliation! Oh the psychological tongue lashing I gave myself. I berated myself like only a guilty holiday enthusiast can.

Ten days before Easter, I finally realized the holiday was upon us and scrambled to whip up all the traditional goodies - pierogi, placek, and more - like the culinary maniac I have always been. And yep, I also completely missed an important date because I had the 29th in my head instead of the 19th.

I used to think it was funny when older folks lost track of time. And now? Here I am, tumbling headfirst into the same space-time blur. Is this aging? When days melt together, untethered by schedules or structure? Or is my brain just doing a clean sweep of all the once-useful data it no longer prioritizes?

Or perhaps, I have simply gone mad.