Diana Walters: A Boomer's Ruminations - The Little Engine, A Story For Seniors

  • Wednesday, March 19, 2025
  • Diana Walters
Diana Walters
Diana Walters
One day my daughter picked me up in her Jeep. It had recently been modified, the entire vehicle lifted up so it could more easily travel through mud and rocks during off-road excursions.

I’m just under five-feet tall. When I contemplated what appeared to be a five-foot climb into the cab, I said, “I can’t get up there.”

“Yes you can,” Jennie, who does Zumba at least three times a week, replied. “Use your muscles.”

I reached up, grabbed an overhead bar, put one foot on the running board, and pulled.
“Can’t do it.”

“Yes you can.”

I put the other hand on the door frame. Pulled. Nothing happened. Pulled harder. Nothing. Finally, after many tries and with superhuman effort and muscles screaming, I heaved myself up and into the seat.

“I knew you could do it,” said Jennie.

We made two stops on our shopping expedition—which meant leaping (well sliding) down and struggling up again. I had planned on going to another store, but my pulling-up arm was hurting, so we went to Sonic and stayed in the car sipping cold drinks and talking.

That night my entire body was sore. My legs aren’t accustomed to bending to that degree and in spite of recent arm exercises, my biceps objected to hoisting my ____-lb. frame up into the Jeep. I feared it had been too much for this septuagenarian.

But guess what? To my surprise and relief, the next morning my body ached, but not enough to impede my regular activities.

It goes to show; I don’t always know what my physical capabilities are. But I DO know I often underestimate them.

How about you? Have you given up an activity because you believe you’re too old/decrepit/uncoordinated to do it?

The Jeep experience showed me I often give up too soon. Maybe that’s true of you too. If we’re going to stay strong in our older years and have the best life possible, we must push ourselves to do what we think we cannot do—even when it’s uncomfortable.

Don’t get me wrong—you shouldn’t exercise or do any activity if it’s painful unless your doctor approves. And it’s wise to consult your doctor whenever you start a new fitness program. But just because something is difficult doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do it.

So the next time I’m faced with a task that seems hard, instead of automatically saying “I can’t,” I’ll say “I’ll try.” And like The Little Engine That Could, I’ll tell myself, “I think I can, I think I can, I think I can . . .”

However, since I have already proven I can climb into Jennie’s Jeep if I need to, I’m using a stepstool next time. It will be quicker.

* * *

Diana Walters retired from paid employment at age 76. Now 77, she is again working half-time, volunteering, writing and spending time with her husband. She believes we all need a purpose to get up every day and not having one is the downfall of many a senior. One of Diana’s purposes is working on this weekly column. She enjoys hearing from readers and can be reached at dianalwalters@comcast.net.
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