"How Old Are You?"

The other night I was at my favorite fast food place waiting in line when a friend of mine's son came in with his family. While we waited to place our order we talked. He asked me what I was doing these days and I answered I was doing some writing, doing my movie reviews on TV, and anything else I felt like doing.

He thought about that and then asked me if I had retired from my job with the government. I said I had. He looked at me closely and then said, "How old are you?"

I laughed and replied I was the same age as his Dad. "Gosh, I didn't think you were that old," he answered. Suddenly I felt the skin on my face start to sag and the few remaining hairs on my head start to drop out. Inside I had to face the fact I am "that old." And to add insult to injury tomorrow is my birthday.

The unfair thing is that people do judge you by the numbers of your age. They don't look at how healthy you are, or even how good you look. If they can find out those numbers that is how they peg who and what you are.

I remember clearly when I was a teenager looking at my father and thinking he was old because he was forty-six. I remember wondering what it felt like to be that old, and being stupidly young I never even considered I would be that age and plus one day.

Still I do have to say that back when I was a teenager people looked older when they were in their sixties and above. They were all gray headed and wrinkled. My in-laws are in their eighties and they look like people in their sixties used to look.

I hate to think of your age determining how you are viewed. I think you should be judged by your outlook, your productivity, and your joy of life. I have known people who never grew old. They stayed active and interested in life, as well as interesting to other people right up to the day they died. They were healthy and happy and an integral part of society.

Some people dismiss anyone who is over the age of sixty. They seem to think "senior citizenship" is contagious and don't want to get infected. Don't they realize if they are healthy and continue living they are obviously going to get there one day. Are they going to put on the brakes and fifty-four and refuse to age? Well, it won't happen. The years just keep on ticking by and there is nothing you can do about it.

Maybe my friend's son was paying me a compliment when he said he didn't think I was "that old." Maybe he thought I looked so young I couldn't possibly be that age. Maybe he did. Yeah, and maybe not!

 

 

 

 

 

©2005 Jackie K. Cooper

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