It takes a posse to support a senior

When I complained to my daughter that I was amazed in my old age by the number of support people I needed to get up in the morning and go about my day she replied:

“Oh mother, you are just like a celebrity. Mariah Carey has an assistant who follows her around with a lint roller in hand to make sure her appearance is perfect 24/7.”

I appreciated my daughter’s attempt at humour until I later noticed a long, straight, grey hair descending from my left nostril and cried thinking I cannot take yet another symptom of the aging process at work on my poor old body.

Clearly, I probably have hair growing out my ears as well, but fortunately those are out of sight. I don’t need a magnifying glass to see the hairs on my chin; chin hairs are strong, curly, and always a different colour to any other hue on your face.

I am totally addicted to my hairdresser. Even in my darkest hour, I can make it to the beauty salon. Salon-spas dot every neighbourhood, which is good, and offer services to cover every body part starting with the hands and feet.

Therapists are always very young and physically attractive. They have been trained to tell seniors we are wonderful, which we love.

My posse at the doctor’s office is on a first-name basis. The present staff is, of course, very young and physically attractive. They call me by name and tell me I am wonderful. All the original professionals have retired and are replaced with digital tests and online blood work. You can bet the pharmacists are on a first-name basis, too.

Bless my dentist (retired and living in the Los Angeles area) and all the technicians I have supported through the years.

Seniors are not trying to get ahead, we simply want to stay afloat, and need a posse of men and women dedicated to the common purpose of keeping us out of the deep end.

My maid service is part of the family now and they come early to have lunch here. The staff to maintain the exterior of our home and garden grows yearly.

Our plumber, electrician, and handyman are lovely guys who we know play golf, ski, and are at the ready with pictures of the kids. Definitely part of the family.

Because of Coco, we have been introduced to a whole world of veterinarians, groomers, day-care professionals and doggie dentists.

Obedience experts have joined my posse to help with training and make short order of tough love by setting an example of the need for constant review and repetition, so we get to meet young, attractive, dog owners at classes or at the dog park.

My posse features friends who pole-walk with me, who attend tai chi classes with me. I know I would not be on time if not for the welcoming smiles that greet me.

Here’s the best part. My recent plea for an assistant to help me sort out my life has resulted in a response from a young, attractive woman whose resume reads like a secretary extraordinaire.

Her card reads: Write Right — editing, proofreading and photography.

She can assist me organizing files, photos, memorabilia, columns, writings, notes, etc. And here’s even more good news — she welcomes the opportunity. You can bet I have scheduled her to come next week to help me get started.

Jeanette Dunagan has lived in Kelowna for more than 40 years. Email her at jd2399@telus.net.