The getting older doesn't really suck thread

[Dr. Johnny Fever]

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?

[HemiEd]

Originally Posted by beer me

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.

You are the only person I recall saying the exact same thing as me on the 30 and 40 thing. Thirty hit me like a hammer, very depressing.

In retrospect, if may have something to do with my financial position as related to my responsibilities at the time. We had our children at 23 and 26, so at 30 times were pretty darn tough, and stayed that way through my 40s.

By the time you get to 50 and 60, the reality of being mortal sinks in real hard.

[Frosty]

The early 40's didn't bother me, mostly because I was too busy to think about it. The later 40's are starting to freak me out a little (I'm 47).

That said, I have a wonderful wife, two great kids, a job that pays the bills but still allows me to be home a lot with the family and little debt (just the house). I'm also one of the few people that I know in my age range that's not on any prescriptions. I can't complain (but sometimes I still do).

[Dr. Johnny Fever]

Originally Posted by HemiEd

You are the only person I recall saying the exact same thing as me on the 30 and 40 thing. Thirty hit me like a hammer, very depressing.

In retrospect, if may have something to do with my financial position as related to my responsibilities at the time. We had our children at 23 and 26, so at 30 times were pretty darn tough, and stayed that way through my 40s.

By the time you get to 50 and 60, the reality of being mortal sinks in real hard.

I was in a terrible mood on my 30th birthday. Now I just look back and laugh at that... and laugh at others who think they're getting old at that age.

[Dr. Johnny Fever]

I'm finding there are a lot more middle agers than I even thought on this board. I always had the impression it was more heavily populated with 20 somethings. I guess we just act like children so much... heh.

[memyselfI]

Originally Posted by beer me

I'm finding there are a lot more middle agers than I even thought on this board. I always had the impression it was more heavily populated with 20 somethings. I guess we just act like children so much... heh.

True! I'm off and heading to pilates so my abs will very much feel 40s.

[Frosty]

Originally Posted by HemiEd

You are the only person I recall saying the exact same thing as me on the 30 and 40 thing. Thirty hit me like a hammer, very depressing.

I finally got my degree the year the year I turned 30. My oldest son was born about three months later. With starting my career, raising two kids (the second came two years later), and remodeling a 100 year old farm house from the studs out, my 30's and early 40's are a complete blur. I woke up the other day and noticed I had teenagers approaching college.

[milkman]

Originally Posted by beer me

I was in a terrible mood on my 30th birthday. Now I just look back and laugh at that... and laugh at others who think they're getting old at that age.

I never even gave turning 30, 40 or 50 even a second thought.

It was just another day on the calendar to me.

[luv]

Originally Posted by HemiEd

You are the only person I recall saying the exact same thing as me on the 30 and 40 thing. Thirty hit me like a hammer, very depressing.

In retrospect, if may have something to do with my financial position as related to my responsibilities at the time. We had our children at 23 and 26, so at 30 times were pretty darn tough, and stayed that way through my 40s.

By the time you get to 50 and 60, the reality of being mortal sinks in real hard.

For some reason, 25 was my hard one. I think I had high expectations on what my life would be, and I was batting .000. Since I've come to reality, I haven't had a problem with any particular birthday. I still feel like I'm 25 on most days, and I still occasionally get carded when I buy alcohol. I'm still single, never been married, and have no children, and I'm okay with that on most days as well. I've got new goals, but I've learned not to put a time limit on myself. Things will happen when they happen, and I just have to do what I can in the meantime and make the most of the time I've got.

[4th and Long]

Originally Posted by HemiEd

You are the only person I recall saying the exact same thing as me on the 30 and 40 thing. Thirty hit me like a hammer, very depressing.

In retrospect, if may have something to do with my financial position as related to my responsibilities at the time. We had our children at 23 and 26, so at 30 times were pretty darn tough, and stayed that way through my 40s.

By the time you get to 50 and 60, the reality of being mortal sinks in real hard.

30 was easy. 40 was painless. 25 sucked ass. Everyone telling you that, "You're a quarter of a century old!"

Turning 44 made me question my mortality. My oldest grandparent lived to be 88. This means I have more years in the rear view mirror than I do in front of me.

[milkman]

Originally Posted by 4th and Long

30 was easy. 40 was painless. 25 sucked ass. Everyone telling you that, "You're a quarter of a century old!"

Turning 44 made me question my mortality. My oldest grandparent lived to be 88. This means I have more years in the rear view mirror than I do in front of me.

Shit, you could tomorrow in an accident.

You could live to be a hundred.

Why worry about what you think is the downhill run?

Live life today and forget about the rest of the bullshit.

[4th and Long]

Originally Posted by milkman

Shit, you could tomorrow in an accident.

You could live to be a hundred.

Why worry about what you think is the downhill run?

Live life today and forget about the rest of the bullshit.

I work in a hospital. I see death on a regular basis. I've been questioning my mortality for damn near 20 years now. No biggie to me. When the man upstairs punches your time card, it's all over.

It's not so much that life is short, but rather, death is just so damn long.

[HemiEd]

Originally Posted by beer me

I was in a terrible mood on my 30th birthday. Now I just look back and laugh at that... and laugh at others who think they're getting old at that age.

Same here, it was the only kegger I ever had. At the time, I was heavy on the dart scene, and was playing 7 nights a week. They all came over to my house, and I had passed out before they got there, slept through the whole night.

Originally Posted by Frosty

I finally got my degree the year the year I turned 30. My oldest son was born about three months later. With starting my career, raising two kids (the second came two years later), and remodeling a 100 year old farm house from the studs out, my 30's and early 40's are a complete blur. I woke up the other day and noticed I had teenagers approaching college.

Man, I feel for you. Hang in there, this really is the good times, seriously.
I would give anything for my girls to be back that age again. Now I get to see them at least once a year during the holidays.

That being said, I am pretty stoked about Thanksgiving this year, they are all meeting us at our new house on Tablerock.

Originally Posted by luv

For some reason, 25 was my hard one. I think I had high expectations on what my life would be, and I was batting .000. Since I've come to reality, I haven't had a problem with any particular birthday. I still feel like I'm 25 on most days, and I still occasionally get carded when I buy alcohol. I'm still single, never been married, and have no children, and I'm okay with that on most days as well. I've got new goals, but I've learned not to put a time limit on myself. Things will happen when they happen, and I just have to do what I can in the meantime and make the most of the time I've got.

I know it sounds cliche, but you have the time to do about anything you want. Don't let your current situation ever get you down.
I had a daughter at 25 and another one was in the oven, so that auto insurance break was huge. Was making about $5 an hour at Beech Aircraft, going to WSU on the GI bill at night.

Originally Posted by 4th and Long

30 was easy. 40 was painless. 25 sucked ass. Everyone telling you that, "You're a quarter of a century old!"

Turning 44 made me question my mortality. My oldest grandparent lived to be 88. This means I have more years in the rear view mirror than I do in front of me.

I remember thinking that at that age, now it is about 75% behind me if I take my meds, excercise and eat right.

[Lzen]

Originally Posted by HemiEd

You are the only person I recall saying the exact same thing as me on the 30 and 40 thing. Thirty hit me like a hammer, very depressing.

I was kinda sad at 30 for the same reason of feeling like I finally lost my youth. 40 was not bad at all, really. Just a number.

[Dr. Johnny Fever]

Originally Posted by milkman

I never even gave turning 30, 40 or 50 even a second thought.

It was just another day on the calendar to me.

Well we all know you're the coolest cat in the joint.

[HemiEd]

Originally Posted by Lzen

I was kinda sad at 30 for the same reason of feeling like I finally lost my youth. 40 was not bad at all, really. Just a number.

Heh! Were things a little more in order by 40?