I recently went to my Aunt’s 90th birthday party. She is 3.5 years younger than my Mom. Out of her three sisters, my aunt has the most ailments, but the best attitude. My Aunt doesn’t drive anymore as she is legally blind and deaf in one ear. My mother is about to give up driving since her vision is finally failing. She has trouble reading too, but reminds me that it is perfectly legal to drive as long as you can see out of one eye. I haven’t exactly checked that on Snopes.com yet.
I’m on Quora and a question came up recently that asked is 40 old? Being 50, I found this rather amusing. Sure 40 is old, if you are 7. When you are 50 and you hear people gnashing their teeth about turning 40, you giggle a little. See while many were off having kids in there 20s and 30s, I didn’t have mine until I was 42. Not terribly unusual in 2009, but in 1967 when my Mom had me at 42, it was a bit more unusual. Especially for your first child.
My husband’s parents had him in their early 20s, so he has a much different view on parenting. He worries about being too old. I don’t. When I was younger, I worried about being too young to parent. The irony that I ended up having a child at the same age as my mother had me is not lost. I may have married earlier than her, but for various reasons, did not have a child until I was older.
Age is a funny thing. Society used to look at older being wiser. The working world seems to avoid embracing older workers. Perhaps because technology is changing so rapidly and it can be a challenge to keep up. But what I think gets lost in an age of technology is perspective. Various people have various perspectives on age. The young may want things to be fresh and new. The older may want things to be more reliable and intuitive. Both have their place. One does not need to supersede the other.
The funny thing about age is when you are younger, time seems to be eternal. But as we age it starts to fly. Our children grow up so quickly. We don’t feel older and yet those around us who used to be older are suddenly looking much younger. Doctors especially! Applying to a tech startup when you are over 40 often feels daunting especially if you are trying to keep up with technology.
The one comforting thought though, is that we all age with each passing minute. Some may have better genes than others that make it look a bit more graceful. I find that when I eat well and exercise, much as I wish I didn’t have to, I do feel and look better.
Yesterday, while watching the Oscars I saw many different aged celebrities. I was truly happy to see Frances McDormand won the Oscar. Here is an actor who has embraced who she is and not try to look 20 years younger all the time. She speaks her mind and is true to herself and her family. THAT is how I want to age. Not wrapped up in Botox or plastic surgery. I want an actor, male or female who can show emotion on their face. I want beauty to include wisdom and maybe a line or two. I look to my Mom and Aunts as inspiration as to aging gracefully and staying who they are each and every step of the way. Now how can I start a hashtag and a movement for this?