Golden Years Suck? (A Self‑Deprecating Reflection on Aging and the “Medicare Generation”)

Laurence T. Gayao, MD, DABFP, BCEM

Well, aging is the natural consequence of living. Many complain about growing old, but let’s be honest—some of our friends never had the chance. They took a permanent leave of absence, six feet under or in an urn. So if you’re still here grumbling about your knees, congratulations—you’re one of the lucky ones.

🧠 The Fear of Aging (Yes, There’s a Name for It)

In our society, we’re brainwashed early to believe youth, good looks, money, and material things equal happiness. This obsession has created a persistent fear of aging called gerascophobia.

But aging is a fact of life. If you live long enough, you will get old. The only way to avoid it is to die early—which, frankly, is a terrible retirement plan.

🎤 “Doc, These Golden Years Really Suck.”

When I was a young physician, an elderly gentleman told me, “Doc, these Golden Years really suck.”

Back then, I laughed. Now? I nod in agreement while reaching for my reading glasses, my joint supplements, and the heating pad I pretend is “just for comfort.”

You know you’re getting old when:

• Conversations revolve around grandkids, medications, and “I used to do this and that.”
• Getting out of bed requires a warm-up routine worthy of the Olympics.
• The songs you loved are now sung by people who have retired—or died.
• The mirror shows gray hair, thinning hair, missing hair, wrinkles, eye bags, and sagging skin that looks like it’s trying to relocate.
• You forget where you placed things… or worse, where you hid them from yourself.
• “Achy Breaky Heart” becomes “Achy Squeaky Joints.”

If that list made you uncomfortable, you might have a touch of gerascophobia.

⏳ When Life Was a Blur

Before retirement, life was a hectic routine—work, social media, church, alumni events, family time. Days flew by like a blur. Then one day I realized many folks older than me were passing away one after another. That’s when it hit me: I’m now part of the older generation.

I didn’t get a welcome party. Not even a membership card.

💡 Advice for the Younger Generation

More does not necessarily mean better. Happiness isn’t measured by:

• How big your house is
• How many cars you have
• How expensive your car is
• How many letters follow your name

Jim Carrey said it best:

“I hope everybody could get rich and famous and will have everything they ever dream of, so they will know that it’s not the answer.”

Let me paraphrase Scripture: What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and misses being happy?

🎸 Learning Contentment (And Rediscovering My Guitars)

After joining the Medicare generation, I learned to be content with what I have. Retirement shrinks your income but expands your time. Suddenly, the desire for “more and more” fades.

I have ten guitars. Only after retirement did I finally have time to pick them up again. It feels refreshing not to be part of the rat race or to prove my self-worth.

🏃‍♂️ Keeping the Mind and Body Alive

John Adams said, “Old minds are like old horses; you must exercise them if you wish to keep them in working order.”

Retirement can be exciting. I learned how to build a website, manage it, and write blogs. YouTube became my university. I’ve written over fifty articles, reached readers in 106 countries, and gained over two thousand subscribers. I’m healthier now than when I retired—thanks to regular exercise and healthy eating with my wife Edith.

📌 Advice to Fellow Retirees

• Nurture relationships — with your Maker, your family, and your circle of friends.
• Invest in your health — your body and mind are God’s greatest gifts.
• Learn something new daily — so you can be a blessing to others.

📜 A Psalm of Life (Longfellow)

Life is real! Life is earnest! And the grave is not its goal… Let us, then, be up and doing, With a heart for any fate; Still achieving, still pursuing, Learn to labor and to wait.

🌅 Afraid of Getting Old?

If you plan it well, these years may turn out to be the best time of your life.

“So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” — Psalm 90:12

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