You think 45 years of age is old? ‘Wait till your 44,’ told me one geezer when I was about 22. The truth is that when we are young we think that we have all the time in the world. But how time flies. In September this year, I clock 33 and I still don’t believe it. To once think that being 30 was senile! I bet old people in their 60s are saying to us ‘you wait till you get our age.’
So what is it with growing old? Age can sometimes be a sort of barometer. How far have I come, what have I achieved? You don’t like the answers to that? Here’s a beer, drown your sorrows and let’s plan for a party at my house. By the way, if at the end of the bash neighbours don’t notice that we had a wild night, that’s another sign we are getting old. And if we’d rather go to work the next day than stay at home faking a flu, that’s another indication. Want more signs? You call me at around 9:00 p.m. and ask, ‘Did I wake you?’ The whole point is that you hardly notice you are growing old but you are.
There are those who would say though, what is the meaning of old? I have seen people in their 40s despise being referred to as old. ‘Call me older,’ they insist. ‘Yeah, right. Like it makes a difference,’ you retort. We seem to associate ‘old’ with the negative. It is interpreted as dilapidated, worn out, useless, caput, etc. Though, I must say, the ‘older’ people seem to be adamant that old is associated with ‘wisdom’ and patience. I’m not too sure.
Count your blessings that you were fortunate enough to see this world and make life wonderful. Mind how you go every step of the way. When you get ‘there’ turn round and look back at those who are coming your way.