There are many things that might make one feel old: fading eyesight, say, or a bunch of nagging injuries adding up. Sometimes a picture of your childhood, or a comment from someone else will remind you of the passing of time. Is there something that makes you feel old?
Share why if you wish.
I have noticed that the older I get, the more frequently there are moments that make me feel old. That makes sense, I suppose.
The most recent instance came just a few weeks ago. As part of my wedding anniversary, I was looking through pictures of the day. In one of them, I was playing a game with the young daughter of friends of mine. I realized, with a start, that while the wedding happened what seems like yesterday, that young daughter is in college now.
We were having dinner with friends and I asked this question, and one of the responses came from my friend Adrian. He said he was recently looking through some pictures of his childhood, and came across a picture of him with his dad. He felt quite old when he realized that he is currently older than his dad was in the photo.
I recently had a conversation with a former intern of mine. I made a reference to the band Pearl Jam. She had no idea who they were. I interviewed a potential intern who had never played the game Trivial Pursuit.
Yup. I feel old.
I have noticably less energy for moving and accomplishing tasks. My response times are slower, both mentally and physically. I often witness these differences when around younger people. And I think about the many important differences from the time of my youth. That said, I am grateful for the energy I do have and whatever I am able to accomplish. I try to ignore the irreverent comments that I often hear voiced against senior citizens.
I’m 52. Traveling in ireland I met a young German woman. During our discussion she told me her father helps old folks. “So, now he is working with this old woman. She is 50 or 55 years old . . .”
Ouch.