Old Ain’t So Bad
Old ain’t so bad. I’m getting used to it.
I had to get a haircut today. I was afraid I’d run into my mom and she would say I looked woolly. To this day, when mom speaks I listen. No good southern boy wants to disappoint his mama.
I played a church service last night and my wife said I had more hair than anyone up there except the young lady singer, so it was time to get a trim. When we warmed up back-stage I mentioned that I had heard a medicine called Crestor might turn your hair black, (I do not know if this is true) and maybe I ought to take some.
The young lady singer said, “Oh don’t change your hair Dr. B, the gray makes you look wise.” Now that is a smart young woman.
My son is a tough kid, and has gotten wiser as he gets older. When he was fifteen and began to out-drive me when we played golf he would brag about it. Now that he is twenty-five and can hit it 300 yards, he is very respectful and asks if my last check-up was O.K.
I tell him he might be younger and stronger than me, can jump higher and run faster, and out-drive me fifty yards, but there was one thing he would never catch me in, and that was wisdom. The thing of it is the boy is catching up in that too, because he doesn’t protest like he used to. As he gets older, he has become wiser.
The young lady last night was wise too. Maybe nowadays young women call me ‘sir’ and tell me I remind them of their Dad, and the older ones want to know if I am taking new Medicare patients, but at least they have the good sense to say the gray hair makes me look wise. Like my boy, they know that is all an old man can lay claim to. My wife is the smartest of all. She tells it makes me distinguished!
But like I said, old ain’t so bad. In my line of work I am reminded every day how lucky I am and I cherish every day.
Dr. B
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Dr. Tom Bibey: Stories of the Bluegrass Music Road 
February 9, 2009 at 9:13 am
It’s so nice to hear just for a change that some people like you consider themselves lucky and happy.
February 9, 2009 at 9:22 am
Well hey there pochp,
You know I never got rich or famous and just did my thing all my life every day, but I was blessed with a good family and good health. If anybody has been more fortunate than me I am happy for them.
Dr. B
February 9, 2009 at 3:14 pm
Mr. Chili is starting to stress out about the gray hairs popping up all over the place (especially the ones on his chin), but I LIKE them. I promised to grow old with this man, and I’m loving every single day of it. The gray feels less like an indictment and more like a celebration – milestones to mark the passage of a life spent happily together.
February 9, 2009 at 3:38 pm
mrschili,
Exactly right. My wife is a bit younger than me (I say I found her in the newborn nursery when I was a young Doc) and has a few strands of gray, but I like the look.
If she seems too much younger than me, people call me a cradle robber.
Dr. B
February 10, 2009 at 7:59 am
Mr. Chili has me by seven years, but I’m still often the “grown-up” in the house. Age is just a number; it has no bearing on reality.
February 10, 2009 at 8:49 am
mrschili,
Tis true. Some of my mandolin buddies are not half my age, but they are smart enough to let me pretend like I am young. My wife is smart like that too.
Dr. B
February 10, 2009 at 8:59 am
Maybe that’s why you’re happy; you’re surrounded with positive people. Makes me envious. lol
February 10, 2009 at 9:15 am
pochp,
Don’t know where you’re from but check out the old bluegrass world. They are a good crowd of folks.
For example if the Grascals (They were Dolly Parton’s back-up band for several years) play near you go up to the record table and speak to Kristin Scott Benson. She plays the banjo for them and is the 2008 IBMA banjo player of the year.
Kristin is not only a great banjo player, but a fine young wife and mother, and just good folks. Tell ’em old Dr. B sent you and she’ll treat you like family.
Dr. B
February 10, 2009 at 11:29 am
I’m from the damned Philippines but I know bluegrass (no sarcasm). Nitty Gritty Dirt Band was my first bluegrass favorite and I still play some of their songs until now. Western music is really fun!
February 10, 2009 at 12:16 pm
pochp,
Cool. I love the Dirt Band too. The Circle is still a favorite.
Dr. B
February 11, 2009 at 7:58 pm
Doc,ok I have to comment on when you are down here again, you might have to get a trim by our fiddle player. Remember we practice at the Style Shop in town. It is located at the major four way in town and people are starting to notice when we are practicing. It is fun when somebody “toots” the horn and waves at the band.
Ok back to the hair cut. She will play bluegrass music while she cuts your hair.We will discuss upcoming gigs and I have to say I usually work in a lesson or two because she plays the fiddle and I the mando.
Now to this gray hair stuff, please look up Proverbs 16:31, better to read it a newer version, not the red letter King James.
Take care Doc,warming up down here.
Dad called this afternoon and said the tickets for the concert just came in. The lineup this year is really good, Paul Williams and the Victory Trio, Primative Quartet, Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver and Rhonda Vincent and the Rage.
February 11, 2009 at 9:00 pm
Smitty,
Honest to goodness in Harvey County there is a jam session at Billy’s Barber shop every Thursday. It says so in the book.
Will check out Proverbs. My agent always says the Bible is the bedrock of all Southern Literature. He is partial to the King James.
That sir, is a bluegrass lineup worth a listen for sure.
Dr. B