There are many ways to know when you have become "older".

A couple of things that have been happening in the last few years:

The waitress gives me a Senior Discount and I didn't even ask for one.

Young Ladies open the door for me. (UGH!)

The grocery store I frequent still has sackers who bag your groceries for you (not the cashier) and they always ask if they can carry the groceries to my car. UH, no, I can handle it, thanks anyway.

Sometimes I think of our Greatest Generation, those young men of 18-19 years of age who were plucked from their sweet innocent home life and joined the Military in WW2. They were quickly trained and sent to war ASAP. Many did not come home. Most of of those survived WW2 and came home had a different perspective on life. I like to think most of them valued life, family, education, etc and thirsted for it when arriving back at their home towns. They were "older" when they came back.

They became educated and they built the post war America. Under their toil America became a powerhouse of Economics, Financial and Military might. I'm no expert but I think if not for WW2 we would not have had the American Might starting in the early 1950's.

Those American Service Men, and Women, became "Older" almost overnight, so to speak, and we have much to thank them for, and not just for Freedom.
.

quote:

Originally posted by OKCGene:
Sometimes I think of our Greatest Generation, those young men of 18-19 years of age who were plucked from their sweet innocent home life and joined the Military in WW2. They were quickly trained and sent to war ASAP. Many did not come home. Most of of those survived WW2 and came home had a different perspective on life. I like to think most of them valued life, family, education, etc and thirsted for it when arriving back at their home towns. They were "older" when they came back.

They became educated and they built the post war America. Under their toil America became a powerhouse of Economics, Financial and Military might. I'm no expert but I think if not for WW2 we would not have had the American Might starting in the early 1950's.

Those American Service Men, and Women, became "Older" almost overnight, so to speak, and we have much to thank them for, and not just for Freedom.
.

You have very eloquently put into words what I have often thought and struggled to express. My father and several uncles, now gone, were part of that generation. When I was their age and in college, although mindful of their service and sacrifice, I didn't truly appreciate just how significant they were. Now I feel I do. I am 55 - sometimes a very old and mature 55 and sometimes a very immature 55. I feel "older" but I think that has come more with contemplation, not necessarily aging, and I believe it's a different process for everyone.

When your memories outnumber your new experiences!
And when your dead friends outnumber your live ones.

I got up one morning in a hotel room and on the way out the door caught a glimpse of some guy was in my room. The door was locked, but there he was. Grey, wrinkled, balding, hiding behind the mirror. I'd never seen him before.

I see him sometimes now, looking the worse for wear. Definitely not getting any younger. Still wears a high and tight (with what little he's got left) because he doesn't know any other way, but it only makes him look worse. Gravity, it seems, was never his friend, and he's still fighting a losing battle, but fights it anyway.

I ran into one of our guys in Bangui, Central African Republic. Had to be seventy. That didn't make sense, but he didn't look a day younger.

Turns out we're the same age, well south of seventy. Glancing around, I see that many of us don't age gracefully. Is it the caffeine, or the lack of sleep that does it?

quote:

Originally posted by Ironbutt:
When your wife asks what you have planned for tomorrow & your answer is, "Wake up."

Winner.

When I say "I know how my parents felt..."

I'm 41 with a 5 year old.

When you have to think on how you have to get up off the floor after an oil change.....

When they automatically give you the senior discount without you even mentioning it and then ask if you need help getting to your car-

quote:

Originally posted by Edmond:
When I say "I know how my parents felt..."

I'm 41 with a 5 year old.

Walk in the park...when I was 41, I had multiple sub-4 year olds under the roof.

At that point, you come to understand the severity of the threat 'Unattended children will be given candy and a free puppy.'

Boss

Holding my daughter for the first time with my wife in intensive care (rough birth) - we both grew up and became older. When you realize you know very little - you go from know it all to being confident in yourself and knowing how little you actually understand. When you seek out and enjoy the company of others that are not like you. When you realize you don’t actually control anything except yourself.

I look back (just turned 53) and am actually embarrassed at the arrogance I had at 40. I was angry at what I could not control for a good part of my life, just did not realize it...I’ve learned to enjoy the moments I have each day, particularly with my family and friends. I still work at this and probably will each day.

I think back to my grandmother who raised 5 kids from the 1920s on, the depression and two of my uncles off to WWII...Throughout she and my grandfather raised a new generation of hardworking, respectful New England citizens. Despite watching two of her sons die before her - she accepted her faith in God and found comfort. I’ve not found the same and probably won’t - but her lesson of respect, love, perseverance and toughness I’m beginning to understand more now ... and same with my parents. When you can look back and be honest, and look ahead and accept - you are getting older.

In a sermon preaching about his misadventures of youth our country preacher mentioned that his first brain began to rattle at about 30... and he related a time when he had said that to a group of young people and they took it the wrong way. They thought 30 was old and he had started to LOSE his marbles at thirty, he had to explain that no, he started to GAIN some at about thirty.

quote:

Originally posted by FlyingScot:
Holding my daughter for the first time with my wife in intensive care (rough birth) - we both grew up and became older. When you realize you know very little - you go from know it all to being confident in yourself and knowing how little you actually understand. When you seek out and enjoy the company of others that are not like you. When you realize you don’t actually control anything except yourself.

I look back (just turned 53) and am actually embarrassed at the arrogance I had at 40. I was angry at what I could not control for a good part of my life, just did not realize it...I’ve learned to enjoy the moments I have each day, particularly with my family and friends. I still work at this and probably will each day....

And as another poster similarly stated, when your mind writes a check your body can’t cash.. that hurts, especially if you’ve been in reasonable shape most of your life.

God willing, I’m sure I’ll look back at myself from 60 and shake my head again at my foolishness and bullheadedness. But I’m still here, trying.

When all the preceding generation are dead. Both my parents and all my aunts and uncles are now gone. And also my baby sister. I am now the oldest person alive in my dad's line and the second oldest in my mom's. I believe I qualify as "older".

FWIW, today (22nd) is my mother's birthday -- she would have been 106 today. She died in 2002. I am thinking of her today (well, I think of her every day, but more so today). She was a wonderful mother and a very giving woman. RIP, Mother.

flashguy

When I was a kid say up to around 18-19 I always want to be "older" as to experience what the grown-up had.
Then in my 20's to mid 30's I was content.
THEN at 39 I was saying "whoa" to that getting older thing.
Seems like every year ending in nine always causes me grief as another decade passes.
Life is short ---- way too short.

Spot on - I have a plate in my neck (C5/C6) and have had 5 shoulder surgeries. All from pushing sports / activities my whole life. Last surgery was bicep reattach close to 3 years ago.

In my 50s I’m doing much better about saying “no thanks” and doing something else. Still work on fitness and sports, but differently. Part of accepting that things have changed - and my Ortho surgeon is happier with me . Being a stubborn Scotsman like my grandfather will probably never go away - but I manage much better now.

Heck one way to know you are “old” is when your wife compliments your decision to behave

quote:

Originally posted by OKCGene:

Sometimes I think of our Greatest Generation, those young men of 18-19 years of age who were plucked from their sweet innocent home life and joined the Military in WW2. They were quickly trained and sent to war ASAP. Many did not come home. Most of of those survived WW2 and came home had a different perspective on life. I like to think most of them valued life, family, education, etc and thirsted for it when arriving back at their home towns. They were "older" when they came back.

They became educated and they built the post war America. Under their toil America became a powerhouse of Economics, Financial and Military might. I'm no expert but I think if not for WW2 we would not have had the American Might starting in the early 1950's.

Those American Service Men, and Women, became "Older" almost overnight, so to speak, and we have much to thank them for, and not just for Freedom.
.

I've had the opportunity on a few occasions to meet WWII veterans first hand, was able to speak to the four remaining Arizona survivors back in 2016 in private.

My most memorable encounter though was with an obviously older gentleman at an Air Force museum maybe near Savannah or somewhere in South Carolina, I can't remember where exactly but I had a Sunday off so I went to visit the museum and was lucky enough to hear a WWII veteran speak about his time near the end of the war when he was part of a team flying bombers.

He spoke of all the heroic moments he experienced and saw first hand. He remained so incredibly humble during all of this, an he summed it all up and really caught me when he said all these events took place and I was the oldest member of the crew at 21 years old.

I still can't fathom that to be honest, just incredible.

I hope one day when I'm old I'll meet a younger me who just enjoys hearing older people tell their stories.

quote:

Originally posted by flashguy:
When all the preceding generation are dead. Both my parents and all my aunts and uncles are now gone. And also my baby sister. I am now the oldest person alive in my dad's line and the second oldest in my mom's. I believe I qualify as "older".

FWIW, today (22nd) is my mother's birthday -- she would have been 106 today. She died in 2002. I am thinking of her today (well, I think of her every day, but more so today). She was a wonderful mother and a very giving woman. RIP, Mother.

flashguy

Hope you have a pleasant day full of incredible thoughts of your Mom Flashguy! Celebrate the day!

quote:

Originally posted by valkyrie1:
When you have to think on how you have to get up off the floor after an oil change.....

Or how to get back up from fixing the plumbing under the sink. Or when you drop your keys on the floor and have to calculate how to maneuver your back-hip-knee to pick them up. (Don't ask me how I know)

The good news for me is that my son is a sports medicine doctor. The bad news is that he is 800 miles away.

quote:

Originally posted by OttoSig:

quote:

Originally posted by OKCGene:

Sometimes I think of our Greatest Generation, those young men of 18-19 years of age who were plucked from their sweet innocent home life and joined the Military in WW2. They were quickly trained and sent to war ASAP. Many did not come home. Most of of those survived WW2 and came home had a different perspective on life. I like to think most of them valued life, family, education, etc and thirsted for it when arriving back at their home towns. They were "older" when they came back.

They became educated and they built the post war America. Under their toil America became a powerhouse of Economics, Financial and Military might. I'm no expert but I think if not for WW2 we would not have had the American Might starting in the early 1950's.

Those American Service Men, and Women, became "Older" almost overnight, so to speak, and we have much to thank them for, and not just for Freedom.
.

I've had the opportunity on a few occasions to meet WWII veterans first hand, was able to speak to the four remaining Arizona survivors back in 2016 in private.

My most memorable encounter though was with an obviously older gentleman at an Air Force museum maybe near Savannah or somewhere in South Carolina, I can't remember where exactly but I had a Sunday off so I went to visit the museum and was lucky enough to hear a WWII veteran speak about his time near the end of the war when he was part of a team flying bombers.

He spoke of all the heroic moments he experienced and saw first hand. He remained so incredibly humble during all of this, an he summed it all up and really caught me when he said all these events took place and I was the oldest member of the crew at 21 years old.

I still can't fathom that to be honest, just incredible.

I hope one day when I'm old I'll meet a younger me who just enjoys hearing older people tell their stories.

Sounds like you were at the museum in Pooler GA. I went there to see the ME162 years ago and there were a few guys that were vets from bombers telling their stories.

When you’re driving down the road with your son riding shotgun and you say, “look at that old timer mowing his lawn!” and your son says “dad, he’s your age “.