Advanced aging
Today marks a bit of a milestone day in my life. Today is the day that I get bumped into the dreaded category on surveys and other information gathering tools that require an input of one’s age. It’s the day that I enter the 35-44 category.
Technically, the average life expectancy of a Canadian is 80.4 years so I’m not quite “over the hill.” No offense to anyone who’s in the demographic category, as I am now officially one of you, but the age makes me feel old.
And it’s not like old age suddenly snuck up on me. I’ve had plenty of hints of my decrepitude in the years leading up to now:
- I recalled out loud once that I was in my first year of university when Kurt Cobain died. The person I was speaking to said she was learning cursive writing that year.
- A hangover can be induced by a mere few glasses of wine.
- My right hip felt sore the other day for no other reason than to remind me that my 20s are long behind me.
- I can remember when leggings, fingerless gloves, bright primary colours, and asymmetrical tops were all the rage in fashion. In the ’80s.
- A tiring night out consists of running errands or getting groceries after work in order to come home to eat a quiet meal in and watch television.
- If something catches me by surprise, I’ll say, “Oh, my word.”
- I think kids don’t show enough respect to their elders. When I was a kid there was such a thing as groundings, “talkings to”, and rules and limitations.
- Also, it’s probably the music that’s leading to the decline of our youth. Turn it down a notch.
Hmm…Actually, it looks like I may have jumped directly into the 65 and older category. *sigh*
[Don't forget to check back from April 16-22 for a special Earth Week series of East Coast Guest Posts.]
Kimberly Walsh is a social media and online community manager. You can follow her on Twitter @AliasGrace.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! And don’t worry – no matter how old you are, I’ll always be just a little bit older. In a way.
Happy birthday! I hope it was great. To be forever young, just act and think like a dachshund–minus the overeating, and the refusal to potty at appropriate times, but yeah, they’re perpetual puppies!
happy birthday! the new age bracket is looming for me, too … but i still have 5 months to enjoy being 25-34.
Ben: I will have to take solace in that, old man.
Elizabeth: That’s a fantastic way to live. I wish I could always be as relaxed or excited about things as Tofu. Life would be bliss. Except for days when people were daring to leave me home alone, I guess.
Michelle: I’ve already filled out my first survey in the new age bracket. It was not pleasant having to check that box. I considered not taking the survey just to avoid it.