The Humor of Aging
Getting old ain’t for the young
I heard these jokes years ago but I can’t find the comedians to whom to provide the credit:
A man is sitting in his recliner, smoking a cigar, eating potato chips with an opened beer at his elbow. The game is on and his favorite team is in striking distance of a score.
His wife barrels into the room. She turns off the TV, snuffs out the cigar, throws the chips and beer in the trash can. She then reaches for her husband’s hand and starts pulling at his arm.
He asks “What are you doing?”
She replies, “I’ve decided that you need to start eating healthy, stop watching so much TV and you need to get active. Come with me as we are going on a walk!”
He looks at her with worry furrowing his brow. “Why?” he queries.
“So you will live longer!” she beams.
The man shrugs, looks forlornly at his chair and the TV and looking back at his wife asks: “WHY?”
I’ve always appreciated this joke. It blatantly asks: What is the point of living longer if you must deny yourself all the things which make your life worth living?
Of course we realize as capable adults that moderation is important.
