It's denial, sure, but so far it's working.
Also, as someone pointed out to me yesterday, when you start going off on complaints–for me it was the restaurant we were at–you sound oldest of all. Old people tend to forget that they're enjoying themselves.
Perspective: I was eating out at an oceanside restaurant, on a beautiful day with great company. The fact that a Bloody-f--king-Mary was $12 (telling someone about this yesterday they told me about a bar with $15 Heinekens–it could've been worse!)...so whatever else, the rest didn't matter. Right?
I have a friend who turned 80 last month, but you would never know it by meeting her and talking with her -- in fact, even when I met her almost 20 years ago I thought she was much younger than she was even then. She has such a wonderful attitude about life. She does have some physical limitations – chronic arthritis has lead to several joint replacements over the last 20 years or so, including both knees, both hips, and a one shoulder – but she takes very good care of herself, and emotionally she has done a lot of work and has gone through a lot of difficult stuff to get her to where she is... She's an inspiration for how I'd like to be as I get older. Makes me feel very hopeful, especially as I feel like I missed out on a lot when I was younger.
A side note: Some years back when my grandparents had moved to Florida (both my mom's mother and my father's parents, in the same condo complex), I would go down for regular visits. One time when they were treating me out to dinner -- all four of us -- and we went to one of those early-bird specials that are all over the place down there, and I wanted to order a cup of tea, which was not part of the meal -- well, the three of them started to have a big debate about who was going to pay for it. I threw up my hands and said to them, "I'll give you the dollar for the tea so we don't have to have this argument, okay?" I'll never forget that.
if i didn't know how old i am i would certainly feel much younger. sometimes wonder about a lobotomy.
No one is old. What does that even mean?
Every day is new and we are renewed with each one.
I guess I'm just surrounded by so many people who defy aging with their attitude toward life. I've also seen people reverse the aging process with lifestyle changes.
Similarly, I've see very young people who act and move like they're 80. Some of it is luck, yes, but a lot of it lies in the choices we make.
These prices would be enough to add years to anyone! Your post reminded me of the time, years ago when my mother sold up the family home and moved into a retirement development. I asked her how she was settling in and she said “fine” but the other residents were pretty old and boring, never going out or doing anything interesting, too old for her liking. I had to remind her that at 75 she was actually older than most of them! Age is all a mental attitude in other words!
I'll go along with that thought it's all in ones mind, which reminds me I have to run up the sled riding hill Wednesday for my birthday.