Everything's Grey

In the store where I work they have one day of the week when the over-60s get 10% discount. Talk is of the power of the"grey pound" and there is no doubt that - because of the preferential discount - trade and income for the store is increased on that day. So old people have a lot of power. No longer are they the "pipe and slippers by the fireside" brigade. Not just tea and cucumber sandwiches with the old maids. Now retired people are a force to be reckoned with.
So it is no surprise to find a senior citizen in the news for being the oldest person to reach the summit of Everest. 70-year-old Takao Arayama was pictured in the news on top of the mighty mountain wearing his oxygen mask and looking as happy as can be. There is no doubt that what he has done is a magnificent personal achievement. He also made it plain that he would not have been able to do it without the help of the Sherpas who guided him and helped him carry his equipment. The news story commented that more than 1,400 people have climbed to the summit since Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Ten-Zing first achieved the feat in the early 1950s.
How long before we all go to the summit of Everest on a day-trip?
As life goes on we all hope to live longer. Retired people have more time to try to achieve their life's ambitions. Mr Arayama has realised his. Others may want to go into space or explore virgin forests.
Me? I just don't want to die. I want to live for ever. But perhaps that is just because I'm scared of dying . . .
Nuff said.