btw, have we ever figured out if we're related at any point since 1638? http://www.inpayne.com/charts/familytree.html
Still the answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe, and everything. Too bad it's the wrong answer.
"Old" is not a chronological number or wrinkles on the skin. It is a state of mind and lifestyle. There are 'old' 24 year olds, and like my mother, 'young' 71 year olds. Really, old is a choice...and one I intend never to make.
Not nearly as much as the assumption that a number on a birth certificate determines anything other than a certain number of years lived. Was chatting with a college friend the other night, and we were doing one of those "What ever happened to -?" things. A brief overview of about a half-dozen women, all age 57-58, ranged from one who was sucking down antidepressants, refusing to leave the house and living on her 401(k) because she found out her former fiancé was wanted for embezzlement in two states and if she'd married him she might have been implicated, to an attorney who runs marathons in her spare time, another woman who retired early so she could start a (successful) career as a singer, and another who decided to take a sabbatical and go on a round-the-world cruise. Yes, health is an important factor, and genetics can be a crapshoot. But if you start with good health, no predispositions to debilitating illnesses, and manage to maintain that, the rest is all about attitude.
Age, on average, can tell you a lot about a person. You should, of course, be open to having your assumptions challenged but when you're talking about someone of garamet's chronology, it's a safe bet to assume some senility.
Even with bad health, attitude is key. You can wallow in the bad, sad, tragic parts of your life or you can try and live a life you enjoy as much as possible. I tell you, even with my health problems and limitations I am much happier than most of my perfectly healthy siblings.
49. Will be 50 this summer. I had a 51 year old man think I was 35 though. We were all giving our ages (at a convention) and he was surprised to hear that I was 49. Made my year. *grin* With my health issues, I feel like I'm 75. However, mentally, I feel like I'm 25. So it evens out in the end. As Tamar says, it comes down to attitude. Those of us with health issues know that while venting about it helps us cope, all we can do is learn to work around them, unless one wants to succumb to despair and truly become old before one's time. Minus the health, I've enjoyed the 40s. Best time of my life.
... I usually get told I look/act older than I am, and it's a kick and a half to be one of the "youngins" here.
I'm 28. For those of you who want to deny feeling old, try spending some time on a college campus. I feel old every day I'm here, but it's definitely not a bad feeling.
I would almost argue that a college bar makes you feel even older. Because my first thought is usually "When did they start letting 15 year olds drink" followed closely by a realization that the behavior of drunk 21 year-olds fills me with fear and loathing.
I have friends that still go to some of the NYC dance clubs. They still like to dance and whatnot. I have no desire to hang with kids. One time years ago when I was a teachers aide, I ran into some students at a club. Of course they had gotten in with some fake ID. But I did not need them to see me cutting loose. I also don't care to run into my friends kids while hanging out. Whats making me feel 'older' is the fact that I have my nephew living with me and I have to play a father role. My daughter has also been with us for the last month. Being a full time dad sure can get you old quick. My daughter has lived with her mother since the breakup but it seems like she wants to live with me now. More gray hair is soon to sprout.
