My Senior Moment
When I was a new mom, I frequently was mistaken for the babysitter. Now everyone thinks I’m much older than I actually am.
I’ve been getting invitations from older friends to join them for AARP functions. A kid at work once asked me what it was like to be a hippie in college and if I'd been to Woodstock. I also belong to a book club of women who are older than me and who I adore for their candor – the kind of forthrightness that is earned with age. I normally don’t mind being mistaken for “the older woman.” This morning, though, I really started to wonder if maybe I shouldn’t change some things about my appearance.
I drove to Miramar Lake for a run and noticed most parking spots already taken. As I came out of the restroom, a woman I know from the track club asked if I was participating in the morning’s 5k race. I told her no, I didn’t even know there was a race. Lo and behold, it was a Senior Olympics competition!
Then this afternoon I went to get new running shoes. I tried on one size and declared them too big; so I bought a full size smaller. I got home with my new pink Mizunos (I am so not a Pink Shoes Person) and discovered my other shoes were all a size larger. Now, I’ve worn the same size running shoe for years – how could I forget the size, let alone the fit?! As it is, I’m keeping these. I’m not running long, long distances that cause my feet to swell and I’m thinking it might actually cut down on the number of falls. Hmmm. Lousy memory…frequent falls (but I can get up!)... motion-control shoeware leaning towards pastels. Maybe my friends all see something in me that I don’t.
25 comments:
Oh no. senior moments.
I know the feeling about getting older. One day I am being carded, even though I am close to 30, and what seems like the next day I get no questions or doubts when I ask for the senior discount.
Oh well, it beats the alternative.
AARP functions ?? Yikes !
You don't need to change a thing. If you're looking older than I must be ancient...
I had something similar happen, on my birthday. I love celebrating birthdays, mine included, however, one of the waitstaff at the Cheesecake factory decided not to have the gang sing "Happy Birthday" because people of MY AGE usually don't like it. *sigh* I so wanted to hit him with my cane... LOL.
Oooh, getting invites to AARP functions must hurt. Ouch.
Oops!
Do I need to give you the lesson that I give my son about how the people he choses to hang with affect who he is and becomes.?
Maybe those pink shoes will be your fountain of youth.
Getting older is strange, isn't it? My girlfriend and I (both age 47) got the top part of our ears (the cartilage) pierced the other day. There were some teenage boys hanging out by the piercing stand at the mall, and I was wondering if they were horrified or pleased with what we were doing. Then I decided that I couldn't possibly care less what they thought. My friend and I did this because ... because ... because we can! And I feel very young and sassy these days.
Enjoy the pink shoes and let me know if you want info about having ears pierced in strange places! :)
I still think you look youthful! Seriously, AARP? Not even!
The sun is absolutely ruthless now. All the not using sunscreen in days of young are really showing their damage.
You're only as old as you choose to feel, Anne.
I think you've got the best of both worlds right now. Old enough to have the relative freedom of an empty nest, with the energy and enterprising spirit to enjoy it.
Oh, and about forgetting stuff - young people forget stuff ALL THE TIME. Older people just think it's a senior thing because they forget they used to forget...
oh man.
Senior Olympics competition...?!?!?
that's hiliarious.
I see you as MUCH YOUNGER than you are.
Pink runners - Noway!
I feel older everyday. It sucks.
Maybe memory loss is a good thing...
; 0
Louise says...Bahhahahahahaha I can't stop laughing...maybe we can order off the "senior" menu!!!
Its just the beginning!
Scary ain't it?
Yesterday at the grocery store I was buying beer - I had my face in the cart unloading up on to the conveyer belt and the checkout woman says "Let me get a good look at you" - so I looked her in the face....and didn't even come close to getting carded (sometimes they make my day by asking). I guess I looked sufficiently old! You, on the other hand Anne definitely look and sound young and energetic!
I've not seen your picture, Anne, but from reading your blog, if you look like a Senior Citizen, I'll eat my running shoes and then buy some pink ones for myself. Also wanted to say that I really liked the pop map of the US.
I am a great believer in hair color (it'll be years before anyone sees ALL MY GRAY) and in occasionally shopping in the junior department...just for accessories (it's been years since any of those clothes have fit me).
I think teaching high school and hanging out with teenagers helps me.
Age only matters if you're cheese or wine.
If you start getting monthly magazines from "geezerjock" then I know you've gone to the other side..
C'mon, I'm actually looking forward in particpating in the senior olympics. AARP discounts, better than AAA, I think.
AARP - now that would be painful!
i think you'll be fine with the pink shoes as long as you don't get the Velcro closures.
Rolly says: There must have been a race on Sunday also. Even with my gray hair I didn't get asked. I guess it was my size, which threw them off. And you know Louise is always looking to save a buck or two, which is why I love her.
Pink???
Sounds like you might need to visit Lady Clarol. My mother has been chasing me with a bottle of hair coloring ever since my gray really started to show. She said it makes HER feel old. Get over it, Ma.
Wow!
I think you'll look very attractive in pink shoes . . . maybe even 20 years younger . . . which would make you look what? 8 years old?
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