Age Against the Machine

Are you one of those "women of a certain age?" An online dictionary says it means "a person, usually a woman, [who] is no longer young but is not yet old." Well that's me all over!

But it's not all bad news. After all, they say 50 is the new 30. And 60 is the new 40 , 70 is the new 50, and so on. There's no question that we're living longer, but more importantly, we're living better and healthier. But I think "women of a certain age" feel those biological changes more keenly than men, maybe in part because we try our darndest to uphold that popular media image of youthful beauty. Maybe because we wake up one morning and see more and more of our mothers staring back at us in the mirror.

There's no denying that some things definitely change as we age. Getting into our late 40-somethings, a little more wrinkly and a little less svelte, it's like our bodies have thrown us our very own nightmare surprise party. "Surprise! Those pants don't fit anymore! Surprise! That elbow's going to ache all the time now! Smile! Your inner temperature is going to fluctuate faster than the Dow Jones Industrial Average !" Ah yes, the joys of womanhood.

Of course all of this is nothing new to "older" women who've already gone through these changes and have come out the other side just fine, thank you very much. No doubt a good dose of feistiness always helps soften the blow in these matters. I felt a little sucker-punched myself. I just never thought about it happening to me. Sure, my mother had had a rough time there for awhile, but I'd always just thought of myself as "young-ish," somewhat healthy, and pretty much immune to the ravages of time and heredity. Ha! like that old song… "funny how time slips away…"

So I'm changing some things. I've got to exercise in earnest just to maintain my current weight – never mind tackling the extra pounds! I've become more aware of the way I move, stretching before and after activities, not overextending, and being careful with past injuries that could flare up again. And I've resolved myself to the fact that my hormones are going to have a field day with me for awhile. They've had a long run, but they're tired and want to shut down, so they've decided to go out with a bang. My hormones are like a chorus line on the stage of my body, dancing off in a kick-line singing "This is the end of the show!"

The Change sure does sneak up on you. I thought, "Can it really be time to join this club?!" Needless to say, I had no say in the matter – my body "volunteered" me!

At this point I just try to remember that even though I'll never go back to age 30, I don't have to act like anyone else's version of a woman my age. I truly believe that you're as young as you feel. And being a little more honest about the one body we're given, and taking care of it as best we can, we'll surely live longer, healthier, and happier lives. And that's good advice for any age!
Playlist:
1. Older Women – Ronnie McDowell
2. A Peak You Reach – Badly Drawn Boy
3. Reelin' in the Years – Steely Dan
4. The Old Gray Mare – The Skillet-Lickers
5. Getting Old – Lucie Blue Tremblay
6. Man, I Feel Like A Woman – Shania Twain
7. Be Proud of the Gray in Your Hair – Dave Evans
8. Your Mother Should Know – The Beatles
9. Silver Threads Among the Gold – Jo Stafford & The Gaslight Singers
10. Age Ain't Nothing but a Number – Aaliyah

With Age Comes Wisdom

Exactly what does the phrase "with age comes wisdom" mean? You might describe it with this adage:

Question: How long does it take for you to stop falling into a big hole as you walk along the same path each day?

Answer: Until you decide to walk around it instead.

And you would decide to walk around that hole because you've gained some wisdom (and broken bones) from falling into it so many times.

Age is the accumulation of experience that gives credence and volume to that little voice in your head that says to do (or not to do) something. You know, the little voice that says not to believe the salesman when he calls you on the phone and says "I'm offering this deal to very few people, and you're the lucky one today." The voice that cautions you not to leave those clothes on the line because it looks like rain. The voice that says, "I think I'll stock up on Extreme Moose Tracks ice cream while this sale is on."

Sounds like common sense, and it is. But lots of young folks are deficient in that department. How else could they not realize that talking on their cell phones while driving isn't safe? Or that the world won't end because they missed out on one date with that gorgeous, popular guy or girl?

No, they're too young to worry about consequences, and they don't have the perspective to take it all in stride. To know that today is probably not the best or the worst day they'll ever have, but only one of many days to be experienced to the fullest.

Of course, getting older doesn't mean you'll automatically gain wisdom. You have to be open to learning and changing. We've all been around older people who refused to see anything any differently than they did in, say, 1957. They may know a lot, but they're no fun!

Age gives us time to sort out all our experiences and make something meaningful of them. We often don't even realize that we've gained all this wisdom over the years. If you're like me, you are sometimes startled to see how many years have gone by seemingly in the blink of an eye. As some have said, "If I'd known I was going to live this long, I'd have taken better care of myself." And that's one thing that only age can teach you.

So don't give your grandma short shrift. She's been through a lot and would probably be more than happy to teach you a class in Wisdom 101. Why don't you give her a call? Now that'd be a smart move.

Playlist:

1. The Times They Are A'Changin' – The Byrds

2. When I'm 64 – The Beatles

3. Older – Colbie Caillat

4. Older – They Might Be Giants

5. September Song – Bryan Ferry

6. The Prophet's Song – Queen

7. Yesterday's Wine – Merle Haggard (with George Jones)

8. It Was A Very Good Year – Frank Sinatra

9. Wisdom – David Gray

10. Teach Your Children – Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young