Jim Gaffigan on the perils of aging gracefully

Aging gracefully – is that the goal? We are supposed to age gracefully?

I don't think I've ever been described as graceful. Lumbering, maybe. Now I'm supposed to be graceful when essentially my knees have completely stopped working?

Aging gracefully implies an acceptance, really the antithesis of Dylan Thomas' "Do not go gentle into that good night." Thomas encouraged us to fight off death and aging. Of course, Dylan Thomas died when he was only 39, so he never knew how inflexible knees are in your 50s.

I do admire those that seem to both "Not go gentle into that good night" and be graceful about it. We all know Tom Brady has somehow stopped aging altogether, which is equally impressive and annoying. Then again, I don't think Tom Brady eats bread, which to me sounds like a form of death.

The political world is filled with people that are so high functioning it is bewildering. Senator Chuck Grassley is 88 years old, and is not only seeking re-election but jogs three miles a day. Just thinking about that make my knees hurt.

I must admit when I ponder Senator Grassley and these politicians, I don't contemplate gracefulness or cognitive abilities; I question my passion for life.

For more info:

jimgaffigan.comFollow @JimGaffigan on Twitter

Story produced by Amy Wall. Editor: Kevin McLaughlin.

See also:

Jim Gaffigan on getting the whole lockdown thing wrong2020, please turn your notifications offJim Gaffigan on his first drive-in standup showOn living in a time warpOn acquiring a green thumbSummer memories, '50s styleBlondes' bad rap

Jim Gaffigan on aging "gracefully"

Older and … wiser?

Billy Crystal now acting his age