I am not that old, just older….you know, when you are reaching the status of ma’am.” No longer addressed as “miss” by any one but octogenarians.
It’s not that I mind, and luckily I don’t look my age, [and no I am not sharing it with anyone, for now let’s just say that I am in my late 30’s.
Very late 30’s. Laughing.
Lately I have found myself thinking about events and I was wondering at what point in our life we start to realize that eventful moments are from decades ago, and not in the last few years like we fool ourselves with.
First day of school, well maybe high school, it was only a few decades ago. First time you got to drive a vehicle by yourself after getting your licence. First real job, first apartment.
When do you realize that you are getting older, that middle age is not really that far off, and has decided to camp out smack in the middle of your birthday cake. Looming over your ever so slightly, maybe soon to be wrinkling shoulders, because hey, everyone tanned back then.
Does it happen when you finally have to get those bi-focal glasses, since your arms length is no longer enough to make the fine print clear? Does it happen when you start looking at sensible shoes, instead of the sky strappingly high cute little heels that will kill your feet? Does it happen when the not so young guy at the supermarket calls you Ma’am?
Or when you forget what you wanted to tell your blog readers? Where you put the car keys, and what you had for dinner last night. Can I be having a senior’s moment when I haven’t even acknowledged that I might be middle aged?
Not that it’s happening to me, oh no, I am not getting older….am I?
Are you?
Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams
I commiserate with you on the passing of your first youth...I woke up one morning with old-woman-skin! I was having so much fun in life that it seriously sneaked up on me. I still giggle 'cause old-woman-skin only happened to old women.....
ReplyDeleteFirsts, used to be fun! First date, first high heals, first driver's license. Now for me is seems to be my first Dr. appointment with a podiatrist for wearing the cute first high heals all of those years ago!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Penny
It hits you smack in the face when you see a reflection in a window somewhere and wonder who the hell that old lady is...then you realize it is you. Gah.
ReplyDeleteI am still rock and roll on the inside and that is what counts.
Hi Jen~
ReplyDeleteI think the turning point came for me after the deaths of my parents. My sis and I had the same lightbulb effect..hey we are at the top of the heap!(meaning we are next!)
the other vivid event was when all my young high school kids for whom I'd been their banker and had known since they were toddlers, graduated,married, and now have teenagers of their own!
I don't FEEL old altho there are now smiling wrinkles instead of lines..and the darn dreaded brown "wisdom' spots are now all over my once beautifully tanned legs..
I am still young at heart and always will be..that is my nature!!
and besides..
AGE is just a state of mind!!
warm sandy hugs!
Loui♥
Hi,
ReplyDeleteMy boyfriend and I were discussing our 'scary' ages yesterday... I think mine will be 40 or 45 because there's simply no way any more that you can pass for being young...er anyway. Although 40 is by no means old as such, heck there's potentially another 40+ years to go!
I'm still a way off that age yet, not even 30, and although 30 is daunting I think 45 is definitely plain old scary.
Maybe it's time for me to grow up and have children? I don't think it's ever likely I will.
I laughed at your comment about tanning, as I sit here with burned lips after a day spent enjoying the sunshine and hoping that I don't end up with 'old lady lips'...you know the kind...
ReplyDeleteI think old age happens when you stop growing. That's when the decline begins and, like a ball rolling down a hill, it picks up speed as it goes. I hope never to be old. *smile*
Age is relevant to what end of the scale you are on. Usually there is always someone older than you, but it seems more often that more people are younger than me. I'm still young on the inside looking out. That's too bad that all of those looking in see something old.
ReplyDeleteGetting older feels like getting richer in many ways - richer in experience, patience, love, and memories. I agree with Carolynn that old age happens when you stop growing.
ReplyDelete(bifocals are gone. If you can bear to wear glasses, multifocals look just like 'normal' glasses, from the outside)
ReplyDeleteStill have beautiful shoes, from days when we shopped at the Bally factory, in Schoenenwerd in Switzerland. Beautiful to look at, but I feel like a drag artist if I try to walk in them!
Aching feet and knees and joints in general, sagging skin, crowsfeet around the eyes, 'liver' spots, invisible bifocals, hotflashes, refering to the 'good old days' ~ all of these remind me that I am over the hill. And, as hard as I try, I can't really climb back up it again. Except in my mind. I'm still 19 in my mind. Aren't you? I'm just happy I'm on this side of the sod! Blessings, Pamela
ReplyDeleteI'd like to think I'm somewhat like the second hydrangea in your gorgeous photos....perhaps a wee past my prime, with a few age or rust spots - but with a little more character than those younger and of more vibrant color....and for those who care to look beyond the imperfections, still having much life ahead..... ;o) Smiles & Hydrangea Hugs ~ Robin
ReplyDeleteGreat post. and lovely hydrangea photos. And you expressed so well what many of us feel. Oh yes to the skin damage...what did we know? The shock of seeing my hands next to a young lady's hands. Hey when did that happen?
ReplyDeleteHoney, if you ain't getting older you are DEAD! Embrace every little change you can...
ReplyDeleteI'd like to think that I'm not getting older but I'm faced with daily reminders that I am. When I was very young I always thought that 50 was the ideal age. It seemed like the perfect age when you had wisdom and experience finally. Now that I'm only 5 years away from that mark I'm beginning to wonder what I'm going to do after I hit my "ideal age" that I've looked forward to all these years. Maybe I need to slide the "ideal age" up a bit... let's say 20 years maybe???
ReplyDeleteCindy at Rosehaven Cottage
Turning point? I've had so many I have turned completely around several times and am now back in the other direction! It's dizzying. I am comforted by an aunt who, when she was in her 70s, told me that inside she still felt like she was in her 20s. I can totally relate.
ReplyDeleteDear Oprah once had a program on turning 50. All the ladies on stage said that 50 was liberating. Essentially, free to be me or you. No more worries. Old is when you begin getting junk mail from AARP. How'd they know your age? You resist their ads. You are offended. Really, what does AARP have to offer me at this age? Then you know that you are old when you first resist asking for senior discounts and then you realize a penny saved is a penny earned--just like what grandma had told you. Jen, I have 30 something years on you, but I wouldn't trade one year and neither will you. You are just getting better.
ReplyDeleteAh, Darla said it well--if you're not getting older, you're dead. Yes, my father-in-law used to say each birthday was "better than the alternative!" And also Carolynn's comment about continuing to grow...I can relate to that. As long as we gardeners continue to learn from each other, we'll be young. Hehe
ReplyDeleteLOL! Getting older is something that happens to the body, not the mind or spirit.
ReplyDeleteA huge thanks. This was just the light relief I needed at the end of my day. Try 41! eeeek. Alison
ReplyDeleteOh Jen that boat sailed for me in my 40s knowing I was getting middle aged I defied the notion until 50...then I couldn't ignore it...now I embrace it because believe it or not I am having more incredibly memorable moments now...I can appreciate my life and the lessons I am still learning...the best years are yet to come...of course I am a late bloomer!!
ReplyDeleteJen, I don't think you have to be old unless you want to be :)Besides, you take far too beautiful of photographs to be worrying about anything other than...where's the next perfect shot..that is timeless beauty. You've already figured that one out :)
ReplyDeleteThe thing that really smacks me about the passage of time is watching my children become adults. How in the world did that happen so fast. Oh...and the mirror throws in its two cents regularly too.
ReplyDeleteNo senior moments for me though....I'm blonde!
:)
I'm 42. Over the hill and picking up speed. :)
ReplyDeleteOh half the commenters sound really young! Sad to be 42..I wish. Was it your birthday Jen? You seem to be nostalgic:)
ReplyDelete