I have a theory that in each male resides a little old man. At a certain point in time he comes out and is visible. As I enter my eighth decade, I await with much trepidation the entrance onto the stage of my little old man. (In my case, the little old Jewish man.)

When he makes his appearance is different in all cases. It happens very suddenly and no man is in control of the timing.

In our virile youth no male thinks about this. Just keep hitting that tennis ball, driving the golf ball onto the fairway and sinking that jump-shot. "Youth is Eternal," or so we are led to believe.

The graying of the hair, etc., happens "ohhh" so gradually. Baldness, too, is a sign of aging masculinity. Remember Yul Brynner and Joe Garagiola? However, most guys would rather keep their curly locks.

The slowing of the steps is unperceivable. The return of the tennis shot you reached with ease last year has sailed past you and is unretrievable. While watching Jeopardy the answers seem to elude you, when once you were quick on the draw and everyone thought you were a whiz or a genius. The aches and bruises that used to come and go rapidly now take weeks or even months to heal.

Watching the opposite sex is not too much changed. A man's eyes are trained on feminine beauty in his teens and he never quite loses the furtive glance at an attractive female. However, the reactions are not as provocative nor as daring.

Life does not end, it just changes!

When the little old man breaks forth, others see him before he sees himself. When entering a room he is usually offered a chair. People seem to want to help him, even though he doesn't want help.

It is better not to fight too hard against aging. It is a useless endeavor. Save the struggle for more important things.

Be good to your family!

Be kind to your friends and acquaintances!

Philosophize about minor daily problems!

Do these things and you will get along just famously with the little old man who has entered your life.