I'm in an interesting position because I teach high schoolers, and every year I say goodbye to the 18-year-olds and hello to the 14-year-olds, yet I continue to get older. So age is something I am often faced with and asked about. I am now several years older than my sister lived to be, and we have lost two close friends this year. I have crossed the point where I am no longer "middle-aged" and definitely have more years behind me than in front. However, health-wise, I feel great. We walk a lot (often 10-20k steps each time we go for a walk), we eat healthy, and we don't drink heavily (although we do enjoy a drink). But you never know when your time will come. It could be today, tomorrow, or in 40 years (in 40 years, I would be 95).
That said, when my students ask me how old I am, I always say "28." It's usually met with a "Wait, what did you say?" or a fast smile and a nod. However, just the other week I had this reply, "You're not 28. I think you are about 42." Ok, I'll take that and you may have just earned an A. 😊
Thank you, Deborah. As noted, I am having a bit of a hard time but some books and articles help. I’ll link some to you when I come across them. This Old Man, and essay by Roger Angell which came out in something like 2014, was wonderful but it looks as if it is behind the paywall at The New Yorker. I actually did print a copy of the article at the time and so I still have the hard copy. Worth reading.
I'll see it I can find that essay. And I'll share what I can find on the subject too. This whole aging thing, we're all new to it, and yet it comes to all of us, so it's great to share and learn from each other. My mom had a little plaque that said "Old age isn't for sissies". So true!
I'm in an interesting position because I teach high schoolers, and every year I say goodbye to the 18-year-olds and hello to the 14-year-olds, yet I continue to get older. So age is something I am often faced with and asked about. I am now several years older than my sister lived to be, and we have lost two close friends this year. I have crossed the point where I am no longer "middle-aged" and definitely have more years behind me than in front. However, health-wise, I feel great. We walk a lot (often 10-20k steps each time we go for a walk), we eat healthy, and we don't drink heavily (although we do enjoy a drink). But you never know when your time will come. It could be today, tomorrow, or in 40 years (in 40 years, I would be 95).
That said, when my students ask me how old I am, I always say "28." It's usually met with a "Wait, what did you say?" or a fast smile and a nod. However, just the other week I had this reply, "You're not 28. I think you are about 42." Ok, I'll take that and you may have just earned an A. 😊
I wish I could sit down and have a real conversation with you. I am struggling so much in this arena. I appreciate your words more than you know.
ANd I have read the piece by Oliver Sachs - wonderful thoughts.
I'd love that, Gracie. Your newsletter has been such an inspiration to me too. I'm glad you read Sack's whole article. Great stuff.
Thank you, Deborah. As noted, I am having a bit of a hard time but some books and articles help. I’ll link some to you when I come across them. This Old Man, and essay by Roger Angell which came out in something like 2014, was wonderful but it looks as if it is behind the paywall at The New Yorker. I actually did print a copy of the article at the time and so I still have the hard copy. Worth reading.
I'll see it I can find that essay. And I'll share what I can find on the subject too. This whole aging thing, we're all new to it, and yet it comes to all of us, so it's great to share and learn from each other. My mom had a little plaque that said "Old age isn't for sissies". So true!