It's rare for me to feel "old." I'm 42 and happy and proud of my age and that I've made it this far and that I feel better than any other time in my life. I have no qualms telling anyone my age.
I think age should be celebrated, not feared and pitied and ridiculed as it often seems to be in our society. Moving forward in age means a blessing of longer life, a wealth of knowledge, a strength of spirit.
But every once in awhile something happens and it's like *whap upside the head* guess you're not a spring chicken anymore, huh?
My conversation with fresh-faced, wide-eyed 19-ish cute kid guy sitting next to me on the plane:
Him: "Where are you headed?"
Me: "To pick up my son. He's been at his dad's for 3-1/2 weeks and has to start school in a week."
Kid Guy, very earnestly: "Oh, high school or college?"
Me, laughing: "No, SECOND GRADE!"
The kid looks at me funny like this isn't possible.
Me: "He's only 7."
Kid: "Oh, wow!"
Okay, I know that TECHNICALLY I could have a kid in college (like this very guy sitting next to me!), but I don't yet! He's only 7! I was 34, okay, when I had him, Mr. Young Guy To Whom I look Old!!
It actually was very funny and perhaps a lesson for him not to assume anything, ha!
Hahaha age is just a number don't let him get you down.
ReplyDeleteJenn, you are so right! Most of the time I don't even think about it :)
DeleteOnce upon a time, when my husband and I had not been seeing each other long (he was 36ish and I was 31), we were out to dinner. I had finished my meal, and all that was left on the plate was some steak fat which Big D was picking at (hey-it's the best part!). The waiter came up to our table and asked me, "Are you through with your plate or is your dad still picking at it?" Before I burst out laughing, I told him I was finished. Big D didn't make any comment so I asked him if he's heard what the waiter had said. No, he hadn't heard. Granted, Big D had quite a bit of gray hair already, and I suppose at the time I looked younger than my 32 years, but it was still hilarious. The best part? Since he was supposedly my dad, I told him it was only right for him to pay for dinner lol. Needless to say, he wasn't amused.
ReplyDeleteOh no! What a funny memory! Silly waiter! No one should EVER assume.
DeleteI just turned 50... no shame at all. You're only as old as you feel. If you keep an upbeat outlook on life, smile and laugh a lot, you won't feel so old. My daughter just turned 18 and my son will be 21 in November...they love to tease me about that. And I just think it's super cool that we have three milestone birthdays in one year! LOL :)
ReplyDelete~Lorelai
Life With Lorelai
Lorelai, you look fabulous! I love your blog pics :) You're right, age is a state of mind. Normally I could care less, but it was a reality check, LOL.
Deleteclassic moments when men put their foot in their mouths lol!!! #hilarious
ReplyDeleteTruly. Silly guys. I hope this one learns young!
DeleteI was 30 when I had my daughter, so I understand that. All of my friends children were in their teens when mine was a baby. But I wouldn't do it any other way. Those 10 years or so allowed me to mature a little and to learn a lot so that I could raise my child better. I am 62 and wouldn't change a thing.
ReplyDeleteI know, I was older than most when I had my kiddo. Though these days people are having kids much older than 34 even.
DeleteI love it! Your seat-mate shouldn't make you feel old. Age is just a number AND 42 is not even close to old!
ReplyDeleteLOL, thanks Terra :)
DeleteWow!! My youngest was born when I was almost 36, so I guess I'll be getting that too in a couple of years. Oh well--he'll remember that one day when he's 42 with a 7 or 5 or 1 year old and laugh. I used to think 40 was really old too--and now I've totally changed my mind!
ReplyDeleteYeah, 40 is nothing like I imagined it would be! It's better!
DeleteOh no, lol! He's probably just very bad at guessing someone's age.
ReplyDeleteHaha, try being 42 and having a head of silver hair like said 7-year-old's dad! You're doing much better than he is in that particular department! :)
ReplyDeleteLOL, well, maybe people don't assume as much with guys.
DeleteOh, teens think anyone above 25 are dinosaurs!!
ReplyDeleteTruly!
DeleteMy students will guess I am anywhere from 23-55. They have no clue. Teenagers. Lol.
ReplyDelete55???? Oh my gosh! Now that's hilarious. Yes, to a teenagers I'm sure I do look quit over the hill.
DeleteUm, that's a bit insulting. (I feel the same way about the age thing, by the way...) onestepatatime.co.za
ReplyDeleteLOL, he was so earnest about it, I couldn't feel mad. He just had no clue.
Deletehaha, I haven't had that YET! But I'm so expecting it. I never assume anymore because people have been having kids at much older ages now. Halle Berry is over 40 having her second. :)
ReplyDeleteI know it! So many start at 40. I didn't think 34 was that bad, LOL!
DeleteToo funny! I was 34 when my boys were born too, so I'm right there with you. I guess to college kids, we're ancient.
ReplyDeleteMost of them can't fathom having a kid much less what age they might do that at.
DeleteOh, no! I guess that kid hasn't learned tact yet. I remember when store clerks started calling me Mam instead of Miss. I was like are you talking to my mother?
ReplyDeleteOh, I know it! Of course in South Carolina they call everyone sweetie and honey so you don't have to worry about that :)
DeleteI get the opposite quite often. I look younger than my 45 years and when people hear that I have a 22 year old, they assume I was a teenager when I had him. Nowadays, you can't assume anything. A good lesson for the young guy, for sure!
ReplyDeleteOh no, the opposite! That's a whole other deal assuming you were a teen mom. People really just shouldn't assume anything at all and we'd all be better off!
DeleteI would never think you had a college age kid, Steph.
ReplyDeleteYou look too young for that.
:)
~Heather <3
The Welcoming House Blog
Ah, thanks Heather :)
DeleteI had my son the month after I turned 40, so I am a 50 year old (God Help me) with a child entering 5th grade, and he is the greatest blessing of my life!
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome. They sure do keep you young!
Delete