In Just Ten Years….

Wow, I watched the footage of a car running head on into a
store…a woman who was leaving, purchase in hand, jumped to save her life…glass
breaking, door coming in…and the news anchor calming revealed a 71-year-old
woman had accidentally hit the gas pedal.

I shook my head, actually thinking maybe 70-somethings
shouldn’t be given licenses…
Wait a Minute
70-something?….

Stunned…frozen…I stared into the stark reality in front of my face.   I am just ten years away from that same age.  It is no longer…those elderly people

 As I sit here today, in fairly good health, I
see no reason why I could not be driving at 71 and possess near the same abilities as I
do today.

But, my how perception changes.  I don’t feel old and I often have to remind
myself that I am 60.  It wasn’t that long
ago my own ideas of how I would be at sixty were completely different from how
they actually are.  My hair is not gray
(visually, not gray)…I am not walking with a walker…my voice doesn’t shake…I
don’t yell at my son-in-law…and I do not need help up the stairs.   However, that was how I perceived things would be as I turned the corner into the “golden” years of life.  

Hopefully, at 71, none of us will be plowing through
stores.  Yet, I will no longer find
myself thinking that driving laws should be different for that age. 

Ten years….
Ten, short years….
My first grandchild will be ten years old and I hope he
thinks his GG is super cool!  I also hope
his GG feels as great then as she does today. 
One thing is for sure…if I am still driving…I will be very careful!
Has anyone else had your own naive beliefs about aging suddenly
slap you in the face?

Have a great Saturday everyone!

11 Comments

  1. Yes I am with you on this one. I sometimes have to pinch myself to remind myself I am the age I am although I do sometimes find that my knees give me a reminder especially in this cold weather. As my Doctor once said when I complained a little "Well the alternative is worse". So here's working to keep fit healthy and happy.

  2. It's funny how age does matter whether we like it or not. I remember when a woman age 55 was so over the hill and she wore granny dresses. Now, I am well pass that age and I am looking at Forever21 outfits, like. . .I can so rock that! Cheers to being older and wiser!

  3. How frightening… foot on the gas pedal and straight into a store! But then, what about the 21-year-old or 31-year-old who is paying attention to the cell phone instead of the road, and plows into someone or something?

    We don't necessarily know that it's her age that led her to lose control of the car. Still, we always make assumptions about age (sad, fascinating; we all do it). And, we made assumptions about 40 or 50 or 60 or 70… and naturally, as we grow older we realize that all bets are off! What was once "old' may now seem young!

    I hope I feel as fully myself as possible, physically and mentally, for as long as possible. (A questioning and active mind that is "exercised" helps, don't you think?)

    Very thought-provoking post… 🙂

  4. Pam, I loved reading your thoughts here. I'm in the second half of my 40's but on no universe do I think of myself as "middle aged" lol even tho I am. I have been struck with how important it is that we look after our health in order to be on the best "condition" we can in our latter years. I have a 10 year old son and that inspires me in this direction daily. I also believe that we can be our most stylish self in those more "mature" years. More and more I am attracted to women 10 and 20 years ahead of me rocking the most amazing style.

  5. Most likely that driver did not feel old ten years ago either. Thinking about loosing one's mental capacities is really scary. I think I'll have a glass of wine now. ;/ Happy weekend.

  6. The older I get the more I change the way I feel about getting old. Some days it just scares me to death to think that in such a few years I will be a "senior" but the best thing about aging is that I have come into my own true sense of style, my own comfort zone of being alone or with others and not worrying about anyone else (other than family). I've started saying no instead of being the putz that always said yes. I do worry about retirement..it is just around the bend…but I'm starting to look forward to it!

  7. Yes, I can relate! I was at a rummage sale today looking at some vintage dresses. A pretty teen girl said "these are my grandmother's clothes." Her grandma is only 65 – a handful of years older than me. It made me realize how time is speeding by. Oh, and she said her g'ma was "into that hippie stuff." : o

  8. I agree with you!!! I recently had coffee with a friend and we laughed when I said 'Hey when did we stop talking about our kids and start talking about all our ailments?' That suddenly crept up on us…, but here's to us all still being able to find the right pedals in the car for many years to come!!
    Have a great week
    Wren x
    Littlewanderingwren.blogspot.com.au

  9. Hi Pamela. I always read your blog, & only occasionally post a comment, but felt I needed to today. I'm now 73 don't feel old , yes ! I have aches & pains but my Dr. tells me it's normal,also I decided to stop colouring my hair, & it's never been so shiny & easy to manage for a long time. I still drive but admit I don't have the confidence I used to have. So being older & wiser is not a bad thing.

  10. Oh I know this realization. I was watching Soul Train early this morning. The episode was made in 1973 and I thought I remember wearing those fashions and I remember all the words to these songs. 1973 seems like yesterday, but it was a long time ago. Does this make me and old timer.!

    blue hue wonderland

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