As I rapidly approach my seventieth birthday, I am struck by two thoughts about the advantage of getting older. It’s not very likely you will find these elsewhere because most people who write of aging are busy telling us how to stay healthy or how to invest our vast accumulation of wealth.
Advantage of Getting Older Number One: We don’t have to hear, “My how you have grown.”
Remember that? In our youth, any adult who had not seen us for at least fifteen minutes was auto-verbalized to say those words. Out of fear of a smack on the back of the head, how many of you squelched the urge to reply with smartass things like, “Well, it’s too hard for me to shrink,” or “Did you think I would get smaller?”
As we ourselves aged, we realized those "how you have grown" comments were not so much about growth spurts, but realizations as to how fast time has passed.
Advantage of Getting Older Number Two: We no longer have to decide what we want to be when we grow up.
It seemed from the age of three up, we were constantly asked this question by relatives, teachers, and even strangers. When I was growing up, girls who replied with occupations like engineer, doctor, or astral physicist, were redirected to more “rewarding” goals like housewife/mommy, teacher, or nurse. Thank goodness the young women of today have more choices.
Now that I’ve given you two more thoughts for today, I think I’ll go grocery shopping and whisper smartass responses into the ears of shopping-cart-trapped small children so they will be prepared for the future.
Gee, this is great having no career goals or getting taller. As for being a smartass? We can now get away with that, too. Younger relatives and friends will just shake their heads and roll their eyes and explain, “You know how it is when they reach this age.”
Whoopee, “this age” suits me just fine!
© Copyright 2007 Suzzwords
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That's a whole can of worms to open up Suzz, there are certainly some good things about getting older but on the other hand there is some serious c**p too, like aching joints, failing eyesight and hearing, short term memory loss.... I won't go on, keep enjoying it!!!!
ReplyDeleteNice theory, good attitude and always humor Suzz....that's the ticket! Thanks for the smiles...
ReplyDeleteWhen I was in my 20's my mom was in her 60's and I admired her so much for speaking her mind (when I was younger it embarassed me!). I remember thinking that being "old" must be great. I am rapidly approaching the time I can say what I want and folks will just blame it on my age.
ReplyDeleteAlso, it is best to pal around with people our own age. Younger people think we could be "starting" to lose it. I never discuss anything deep with another generation. They get a strange look and mutter something under their breath, then give me a sweet condesending smile and change the subject.
ReplyDeleteI got some good chuckles from your post.
ReplyDeleteThanks
Yeah, we don't have to listen to those questions any more -- hadn't thought of that before. More advantages to aging to put on my list.
ReplyDelete