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The Relativity of Youth and Old Age

Sounds scientific, doesn't it? Really...that's not what this post is about. It's about how the age we consider old changes the older we get ourselves. Take, for example, my four year-old nephew's conversation with my mother-in-law. Out of curiosity, he asked his nana how old she was. When she said fifty-five," he promptly replied, "You should be dead by now!"

NICE.

Fifty-five must seem impossibly old to a four-year old child. Just like, every few years or so, I too, raise the bar when it comes to the concept of what old is. At this point, I think ninety is officially old. If you can make it to ninety, well then by God, do whatever you want. You've earned it. Eat two pounds of bacon a day. Watch TV all day while eating nothing but doritos and Reese's Peanut Butter Cups (yes, this is MY dream).

So I'm 30 now. By my nephew's standards, I should be dead in only 25 more years. I can't wait!

Comments

Dr.Jeeeol said…
Mmmm Doritoes and peanut butter. I know what I am havin for dinner now!
Jennifer said…
I agree that defining old can be a tricky thing. My boyfriend is turning 30 in 2 weeks and he thinks he's over-the-hill. It seems that 30 is now a type of threshold for people on the slow or fast decline into oldness. There is even a country song about "My Next 30 Years." (Leave it to the country folk, I love 'em) My boyfriend has a great aunt that is still kicking over 90. She works her garden everyday, makes homemade bread on a wood stove, and cooks breakfast for the farmers. No tv and doritos for this woman. She's going to live 'til she dies. And I really mean live!
Jennifer Smith

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