The getting older doesn't really suck thread
 

I've been thinking about this topic lately and a couple of my posts today have reffered to age so now I'm thinking about it more. I know there are a lot more middle aged people around here than many of us realize and I'm curious about some of your thoughts if you fit into the category.

I'm 42. Like every damn kid I thought this age was light years away when I was in my 20's. I hated turning 30 because it felt like I was officially losing my "youth." However turning 40 didn't bother me nearly as much. By then then I guess I had more perspective... and perspective I've discovered means everything.

I have some gray in my hair and beard now and I used to hear people say it makes you looks distinguished. I thought that was a nice way of saying you're starting to look old. You know what? It does actually make you look distinguished. However that may be that perspective thing coming into play I realize.

At work I'm the immediate supervisor for 6 people... all younger... and they call me the father figure of the station and look to me for leadership and direction that in my younger days I wasn't nearly as equipped to provide. Rather than that making me feel old though it makes me feel good. I didn't expect that. It might help that I can still party with them if I want and am invited too heh.

My chosen career does keep me young naturally so I do have that going for me... which is nice (Carl the groundskeeper).

No crows feet yet... a little pudge but that's what happens when you drink beer and plenty of younger folks have it a lot worse than me... I don't have aches and pains and I feel real good most of the time. If I don't it's usually my own fault.

So this getting older thing isn't so damn bad. Not at all. I wouldn't trade the things I've learned from experience and the persepctive I've gained with age and the calm and cool I've achieved though living through some things with youth again any day. I don't remember who said it but one of my favorite quotes is "youth is wasted on the young."

I'm growing older gracefully I'm proud to say and it kind of rocks.

Any of you other old timers care to chime in?

The satisfaction of telling people to get off your lawn can only be replicated in the moving pictures.

Ask Bugeater.

It is infinitely better than the alternative.

Eternal youth?

Thanks for the keen insight... sigh.

Heh.

2/20/69
Im a mason & own my own biz. It keeps me in pretty good shape.
Have a lil whippersnapper that works for me. 22 I think he is. Anyways he had been kinda running his mouth the last few weeks calling me an old man, gramps ect.
So he comes to work on day,few weeks back, & says he wants a dollar raise.
I ask him if he has ever played king of the sand pile. He says no.
Well its easy kid. All you have to do is get me off that 16ton sand pile & you get your raise.
I tossed him around like a rag doll for 5 minutes.
I gave him his raise for effort. Cause he sure didnt get me off the sand pile.

I appreciate the thought of when people truly value where they are at in their lives. It bothers me to no end seeing people constantly look at what they don't have instead of sitting back and just enjoying what they do and enjoying their life.

Getting old sucks ass and I can't believe anyone calls you a father figure.

Pros and cons my friend. Pros and cons.

I will say I thought I'd be in better financial shape by this age than I am. But I have other things that make up for not having a big bank account. I chose this career and after 22 years I don't regret it. It's given me more than money. (But some more money wouldn't be turned down). My family didn't have a lot growing up so not having a lot now isn't a hardship it's just life and it's not a problem.

LMAO

Did you learn that game in a Penn State shower?

Nice... and you're almost exactly one month older than me.

Thanks. It was one of the better days I have had lately

Helps when you keep yourself in shape. A good friend of mine released a music video on youtube at 51 today, it's called eating chocolate bars. Pretty funny. http://youtu.be/spSC8vcxV4s