When I was a child I remember growing out of my trousers quite quickly. I my early years my trousers were frequently too tight in the waste or too short in the leg or often both. In no time at all I was growing out of my school clothes, long before I had worn them out. So I can still recall a row of nearly new trousers in my wardrobe when I was young.
But now over sixty years on, why would that still apply? How come I have a wardrobe full of perfectly good trousers that don’t fit anymore? Surely I should be able to wear them until they have frayed turn-ups or a hole in the seat?
The good news is, that it’s all down to loosing weight — well not quite all —- some of it is due to me shrinking in old age. As a result I’m having to give loads of perfectly good trousers to the charity shop. That in turn means I have to buy a whole new wardrobe of trousers.
If only I had known when I was young that this was going to happen, I could have kept those early years trousers and worn them again sixty years later !
GrumbleSmiles 
Dear John, as I drift and dream of your associated ‘blogs; memories of your early days, and that trip of a lifetime to Japan with your friend from ‘YORKSHIRE’ ws it and his written book of words and thoughts of life for the elderly, and how the ideas influanced your philosophies in the developement of Extracare and the ;EXTRACARE CHarities development of the schemes and retirement villages.
Life goes around in circles for me personally, the concepts in 2005 when I we became intrested in an Extracare Retirement VIllage, I acknowledge the safety security and well being and support-domicilary care- Plus the age group vitality of the over 55/60’s. The average age on joing was 62 years, now it is 82 years in Lovat Fields.
We still have security, safety, and domicillary care, with wellbeing support- However now I am 81 years and I realise, what immediate care I may need, and the importance of neighbourlyness , and my failing senses, and the immediate importance of maintaining self mobility, when possible without aids.
This s still provided/supported by Extracare; but in reality has change subtilly within my mind, of what responsibilities I still have for my well being, and I must not ignore nor relax my wish for independentent living.
It would be interesting to revisit your discussions with your yorkshire friend, as how you both discussed and saw the future for the ‘EXTRACARE Charities Organisation, as the age , average age of the UK population increased from the mid 60;s to the current 80 odds, with a life expectancy possibly into the 90’s.
Do we need to change the attitude of our approach to ‘OLD AGE’ and change the designation of a care home and a retirement village, in the future?? WE have a general Election comming up, can we offer a Voting Platform for the LLLP. with some common sense.
ITS all in the trouser pockets, our loose change and ideals!!!