No, I’m not being pessimistic…I’m being realistic. Let’s face it 62 is not middle-aged, how many people do you know that live to be 124? Neither is 62 old, especially given that 60 is the new 40, however, try selling that logic when you are job hunting!
On a recent interview, the thirty-ish interviewer asked, “What do you want to be doing in twenty years?” Knowing he had already determined that I was waaaay too old for the position, I decided to be totally honest, so I smiled and said, “Breathing.”
I really do hate this yearly ‘mind melt down’ and every year I tell myself that is the last time…but here I am again, going through the same foolishness! Does this happen to anyone else or am I alone in my annual agony?
Maybe it’s the conflict of mental age versus physical age. Young mind, not so young body. Maybe it’s because there are still a few things left on my ‘Ten Things To See Before I Die’ list. Maybe it’s the thought of being one step closer to the dreaded pasture.
Well regardless, that additional year is creeping up fast, so I guess I will accept it and be grateful, and I am truly grateful. Besides, a couple of days after my birthday, I’ll be back to my old self, whoops!...did I say old? Anyway, everything will be fine…until September rolls around, and the realization that my son is turning 41 sinks in! I think I’m going to ask him to call me ‘Sis’!
18 comments:
It happens to me too, especially the last couple of years. My daughter turned 30 this year and that was a bigger blow to me than it was to her!
Yes it happens, Sunny, but I won't dwell on it 'cause it gets worse and I don't want you to feel depressed about birthdays ... smile. I thought 'breathing' was a good idea........
I do not take care of that. I am not at all disturbed by my coming birthday (on september the 7th, I will be 58) and I never was in the past. I do not think about my age. I say to myself I am lucky to be here, to have a good health. That's sufficient, no ?
If there were an alternative to growing old, other than... well, you know what... I'd consider it.
I was just 40. Then 60. Then 70. The days fly by. One cannot help wonder what the future holds.
Live in the moment, I guess. But it's not always easy to do that. Our son turns 49 next month!
Hells bells, he was just born!
I was just talking about this notion with a younger friend of mine. She doesn't like the notion that she'll get to a point where she wonders as we do, "Wow, how fast did that go?!" and I've told her, unless you're dead, there's no way you won't wonder about it.
I can relate...it's not a funk so much as a moment of incredulity that it's tripped by when in my head I'm still 28 years old.
That's my story, and all evidence to the contrary, I'm sticking to it!
I'm not that crazy when my birthday comes around either but I really don't feel my 58 years at all. I think I am in better shape now than I was at 38. I think it has a lot to do with my daily morning 6 mile walk.
My birthday is in July but on January 1 of each year, I start telling people I am the age I will be in July. Since I am not really that age yet, it is just pretend and by the time July comes around, I am used to it. Started that for my 30th and have kept it up. Works for me.
Sometimes I tell people I am much older than I am so they will think I look good for my age.
We do what we have to.
Crap, my comment evaporated.
I really don't mind getting older, there are many advantages. That discount for one, doors are ALWAYS opened for you and you get the sweetest smiles from strange young men, you are never stranded for long with a flat tire, and no matter how old you get, there is always someone older who thinks you are hot. That should work till about 100.
Just take a pill for the pains and enjoy.
I don't feel this way at my birthday time but I get wistful around my granchildren's birthdays. I start thinking and wondering how many more of theirs I will get to share with them. Every year I think of new accomplishments I want to see them achieve. If I don't stop setting the bar higher and higher, before long they will have to live another 100 years. Imagine where that would put me.
I just went through the same thing - except it was 65!!!! I celebrated for 2 months calling the celebration a festival. It has been wonderful. Because I am sooo old I allow myself all sorts of luxuries that I would not have thought of as a younger person. I take the best seat, I order what i want on the menu, I express my opinion freely and I drink good wine! Hang in there!
Carol
I dont know how it happened, but the last years I cant even remember how old I am when people ask me... They must think I am really stupid.. but its true... I have to count from what year Im born.. (1973, you do the math ;o)
Having a mother who died at 47, I celebrate each birthday with the sheer joy of being alive. I am now five years older than she was when she passed and I am thankful that I am active and healthy and feel young. After all , the alternative to getting older is being six feet under.
I'm 64...sometimes I look in the mirror and think...who are you?...but most of the time I feel pretty good with where I am...certainly don't feel 64...a time will come when I will wish I were 64...at least I hope!
I have enjoyed browsing your blog today and wil return but .........
at the grand old age of 65 I might have to speed read!
JJ
(devon)
PS - do you draw those little cartoons I love 'em.
I don't think you are alone, but I do think birthdays become easier to take. I really felt old when I turned 50, but last March when I turned 67 it was a great excuse to have some cake and ice cream. But I must admit I don't like to think too much about having a 40 year-old son!
Came here because of your great reply to BryAntics 'Virgo' post - I loved it!
So happy Birthday, when it comes...
First let me thank you for my first laugh of the day, the first email I read was your comment on my purple post. I laughed out loud. The second laugh of the day was your comment to the interviewer, Breatheing.
we have so much in common, except i have 3 more years than you. my sons are 42 and 44 arrrhhh to that.
On the subject of age, on sept 5th I will be 65, for once since I reached my 60's I am HAPPY to see HAPPY BIRTHDAY. My medicare card came i the mail and will be Activated on 9/1. Yippee for old age. Keep coming with the stories, they make my day
Happy Birthday, Sunny. I must admit that the age in the mirror does not equate with the age in my mind... I know in other countries, the "older" generation is looked up to and believed to have much wisdom. I think they are right...we're just getting smarter...
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