Old?

I know it's a cliche', but really, who IS that person looking back from the mirror at me? Who ARE those people in my high school class reunion photo? I can't be pushing 70! I simply can't. I don't feel that old. Inside I'm about 40. Well, maybe 50, but 70? No way!

I wish people would stop trying to convince me I'm old. Oh, they don't argue with me. No, it's much more subtle than that. It's things like softly moaning when getting up after they have been sitting too long, and lamenting about getting old. OK, so I moan a little too, but it's not because I'm old. It's simply because I get a little stiff if I sit too long.

Then, there are the comments about doing things to keep your mind active. As if your mind runs down like a clock with a weak battery. If you can speak, your mind must be working. And if it's working, it's active.

Or saying they like to be around children because they keep you young. Personally I like to be around children just becasue they are such a delight to watch.

Or making comments about how things aren't the way they used to be. Can you name even one thing that always stays the same? Why would you want it to? That would just be boring.

In our 30's we say we wish things could slow down just a little. Then, when they do, we complain that it takes too long to accomplish any given task. What happened to wanting to slow down?

I think maybe the problem is with our focus on what numbers mean. When I was 50 my son asked me how old I was. When I told him, he replied,
"Really! I didn't know you were that old."
I informed him I was NOT old. He recovered nicely by quickly saying,
"I know you're not. I just didn't know the number was that high."

So, how about we stop attatching a meaning to our birthday number? How about celebrating every time the number gets bigger?

Meanwhile, I think I'll stop looking in the mirror.