You're only old once - so just
When I was eight and could do sums, I worked out that by the year 2000 I'd be 64, probably dead, or so decrepit that nobody would know the difference. And here I am, at 74, packing a rucksack for a ramble. Of course to 90-year-olds (there are a lot of them about) I'm not old at all.
Although it goes entirely against society's perception of age being replica tag heruer watches something to fear and make jokes about, being old is an extremely enjoyable stage of life. You can boss people about and I like the way nice young men let me on the train first, hold doors open and lift my luggage off the carousel. I like the way people listen to what they believe is wisdom when I speak up at a meeting. In his essay on childhood Such, Such were the Joys, George Orwell wrote that to a child anyone over 30 was a hideous grotesque staying alive for no apparent reason whatever.
Self-image is fascinating. The mirror shows a youthful, attractive lady but photographs tell a different story. "Who is that person? What is she doing in my garden? I don't look like that." To the beautiful young women in Hello magazine I want to say, "One day you'll be 70, plan some sort of back-up."
Today's women tie balloons on their gate for 80th birthdays. When I was young, once a woman was 21 she never mentioned her age again. If I'd asked my grandma how old she was she would have squeezed me through the mangle.
Another pleasure of being old is having the courage to say "No" if we don't want to do something, and the fun of doing a few mad things. Two friends joined the fan club of a rock singer they're both in love with and they go all over the country to his concerts where they sit doling out liquorice allsorts to the front row. I tag on to guided tours in art galleries; nobody dare challenge an old lady, even if they notice, which is unlikely because you become invisible with age.
replica breitling watchesSenior moments are a worry; it can sometimes take ages to recall the name of a lifelong friend. Note the word "senior", a term used in America and far better than "senior citizen" which is patronising. You read it here first.
We want the same as younger people. We want to know that somebody loves us, even if it's only a cat. We want to look smart and be admired. We want friends and good talk in good company; we like restaurants, theatres, excitement and new experiences. And we daydream about romance.
Thomas sabo charmsPoverty is to be feared, ill health is to be feared, but aging is not.
Look forward to enjoying the coming years; after all you're only old once.
Mary Essinger, a former lecturer at South Fields College Leicester, is the author of In My Fashion: Starting work in the heyday of Leicester's knitwear factories.
The views expressed above are the views of the author and not necessarily the views of the Leicester Mercury
We want the same as younger people. We want to know that somebody loves us, even if it's only a cat. We want to look smart and be admired. We want friends and good talk in good company.... And we daydream about romance.
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