How Much Is Too Much

I've forgotten where I parked my car, and my own phone number. I've forgotten to return important calls, and keep appointments. I've forgotten to take my meds and put leftovers in the fridge. I can't ever find my favorite pen I'd just used and put down. Don't even get me started on wasted time looking for car keys or important papers that I put in a special place so I wouldn't forget, then forget where the special place is! I can't began to tell you how many times I've looked for a dish towel that I'd just used , then had to get another clean one out only to find the lost one in the refrigerator!
  I'll get up to feed the cats, and forget why I got up. Believe me, they keep up a ruckus loud enough for me to hear then and remember. It's so annoying when I sit down to pin a copy for the paper, and can't remember how to spell common words! I walk into a room and wouldn't you know it, I forgot why I was there! If you are experiencing there and other laspes in memory, you are definitely not alone!
   I have recently learned, thank goodness, occasional memory laspes like forgetting where you put your car keys are not early signs of problems. All of the incidents mentioned above occur sporadically, however, my concern is how much forgetfulness is too much. Should I be alarmed? My hubby tells me I'm doing too many things at once. My brother-in-law told me, a writer's desk is always messy. Are they trying to placate an old lady? I admit, I have multi-tasked, and found myself overlapping tasks, so, what they are telling me could hold weight; I need to reajust I suppose.
  I read this from somewhere and want to share it with you: Three older ladies were discussing the trails of getting older. One said, "Sometimes I catch myself with the mayo in my hand in front of the refrigerator and can't remember whether I need to put it away or start making a sandwich."
  The second lady said, "Yes, sometimes I find myself on the landing and can't remember whether I was on my way up or down". The third lady said: Well, I'm sure glad I don't have that problem, knock on wood". She rapped her knuckles on the table and said: "That must be the door, I'll get it".
  Forgetfulness happens to the best of us. I suppose you have to find the humor in situations like this in order to cope with growing older. Aging is a natural process, which we should do gracefully. Never feel fear, pride or shame, because, "Gray-headness is a crown of beauty". Finish reading the verse in Proverbs 16:31 to read/learn how it is attained.
  This is one of many articles that I write for my hometown paper. Hope you enjoy and please leave your comments. They mean so much!        Hugs, Loretta