by Mariana T.
Member since:
May 10, 2006

I Am Now Older Than The President Of The United States

January 20, 2009 11:44 PM EST
views: 113 | comments: 44

For the first time in my life, I am older than the President of the United States.  When I was born in May, 1949, Harry Truman was the President.  In 1952, when I was three years old, President Eisenhower was elected.  Then, when I was in the sixth grade, President Kennedy became President. I remember the election between Kennedy and Nixon.  When I was a freshman in high school, President Kennedy was assassinated.  I was in English class down on Bayou Teche.   We all put our heads on our desks for a moment of silence.  Lyndon Baines Johnson, the Vice President then became our President.  He was elected in 1964, running against Barry Goldwater.  LBJ served four years.

In 1968, Nixon won the Presidency.  He ran against McGovern.  In 1974, he resigned.  I watched his tearful speech in Atlanta, Georgia while working for McDonald and Little Advertising on Peachtree Street.  We had an overhead TV in a common area.   At that time, Gerald Ford took over and was the President until he lost to Jimmy Carter in 1976.  By that time, I was living in Santa Barbara, working and going to school.  Ronald Reagan became President of the United States in 1980 until 1988.  I had graduated and gotten my teachers credential and was working throughout his term. 

The Senior Mr. Bush was elected and served from 1988 to 1993.  Then, President Clinton served two terms.

At this point, the ages were catching up with me.  President Clinton is only a few years older than  me.  He served from 1993 until 2001.  After him, the second Bush, Georgia W. Bush took over for eight years.  He was still a couple of years older than I.  Now, President Barack Obama has been elected.  He was born on August 4, 1961 when I was eleven years old and living in Garden City, just beginning my photographic journey.  I think he is right where he is supposed to be as I am.  The fact that he is younger in no way diminishes my respect for him.  It does make remind me that I am getting older.  Thanks for reading this.  Salud

 

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Comments: 44

Shirley ♡ ☮ M. Jan 20, 2009, 11:46pm EST
I'm just a year older than Obama.
Roy ☯ Hilbinger Jan 20, 2009, 11:49pm EST
Yup, we're gettin' up there, lady! I noticed that, too, and talked about it in my article on four things I got wrong (and who started that little virus, anyhow?). I figured it had to happen someday, I just didn't expect it to happen so soon!

Here's to the young whippersnapper!
William Dotani Jan 21, 2009, 12:03am EST
I think President Obama should be notified of this. I don't think he would dis you, now he will treat you as a senior adviser, I think. It won't hurt to mail him a suggestion and of course put a PS telling him of the age thing.
lynn a. Jan 21, 2009, 12:04am EST
Yeah, it sort of weighs silently on our chests to have a president younger than we are. Well, I'm in that same boat with that same weight on me. But, like you, I don't think it diminishes him in anyway. Guess we just don't like getting old quicker than we planned on it. Well, life goes on. We'll just collect a few more gray hairs, creak a little louder and wear depends at some point.
Lin B. Jan 21, 2009, 12:04am EST
God Bless the United States of America
Ellie !. Jan 21, 2009, 12:06am EST
Yup...I'm right there with you..
Marge F. Jan 21, 2009, 12:06am EST
I don't buy it Mariana - You're timeless girl. :o)
Mariana T. Jan 21, 2009, 12:07am EST
Lynn, all my Depends are leopard and cut thong style - thank you. I take Cod liver oil caps so don't creak any louder than my mechanized rocker - and since I was touched by an angel at birth, all my grays are one nice road in the middle of my head!

William - I'm howling here - you are too funny !

Thank you Lin - Amen!

hahaha Roy - love you too! Salud
Mariana T. Jan 21, 2009, 12:08am EST
Bless your heart Marge - how are you??? long time no see!!! Thank you Ellie I don't feel so alone now! Thanks folks. Salud
Lori F. Jan 21, 2009, 12:08am EST
Hes got a few years on me.
Mariana T. Jan 21, 2009, 12:20am EST
thank you Lori F. Salud
Nanina Hawk Jan 21, 2009, 12:21am EST
I have a year on President Obama, so yes he is younger than I am too. I bet he ages quickly, I wouldn't want his new job.
Sue * Jan 21, 2009, 12:22am EST
My husband and I were talking about this today. He is 7 years younger than we are...a first for us too. It does feel a little bit strange.
Mark Jepsen Jan 21, 2009, 12:26am EST
Gee... thanks. I hadn't made that particular realization until I read this. Bush II and Clinton both have about eight years on me. All of a sudden, we've got a young whippersnapper for chief executive! Ah... I still would've voted for him.
Granny Janny H. Jan 21, 2009, 2:06am EST
No wonder I feel such an affinity toward you...we're only a month apart!
Granny Janny H. Jan 21, 2009, 2:08am EST
minus ten days....;-)
Granny Janny H. Jan 21, 2009, 2:08am EST
This is the big year baby!
St. John of the Cross Jan 21, 2009, 2:14am EST
I am the same age as Barak! And by about two months apart?

Will anyone want to vote for me next time around, after Barak's second term is over anyway?
Granny Janny H. Jan 21, 2009, 2:18am EST
You'll have to prove yourself, dear.
Connie L. Jan 21, 2009, 3:08am EST
me too. I am 52.
elizabeth e. Jan 21, 2009, 5:29am EST
Funny, Mari. I was thinking the same thing just the other day. The torch has been passed to the new generation...we are now "seniors"!
elizabeth e. Jan 21, 2009, 5:30am EST
St. John...I think you do well on the cross NOT in the Oval office.
Michael Harvey Jan 21, 2009, 7:00am EST
It is a first for me as well. I have been through this experience before. The first time was in the early 80's when a younger childhood friend became the Pastor of our church. The man who followed him was even younger. Times they are achanging. This is why Hillary fought so hard and did not want to quit. She knew the window of opportunity on her time (our time) was closing and she had to seize the moment. But the sway of history pulled to another climber from another time. May God bridge all our generational gaps.
Marianne R. Jan 21, 2009, 8:06am EST
Well I think he's the 4th or 5th youngest president we've had.
Stacey *Mamasaid* D. Jan 21, 2009, 8:40am EST
I'm still laughing about the leopard, thong cut Depends - that's priceless!
While I really did think about his age, the fact that he's 7 years younger than me had escaped my reality.

So much for my blinders.
I'm a year ahead of Obama so I'm feeling rather amazed. We're part of that generation no one really expected anything from. The Lost Generation is found. LOL
Sensational Sadie Sexy Senior Sitizen Jan 21, 2009, 9:35am EST
I'm going to write to him and tell him that "If he isn't grown up by the time he reaches 50, he doesn't have to." Seeing him and Michelle dancing at the balls last night was like a breath of fresh air after the stodginess of past inaugural balls.
Cristina S. Jan 21, 2009, 9:54am EST
well - age does creep up on us a little - he's younger than I am and older than my sister...
Lisa Frost Jan 21, 2009, 10:18am EST
A friend of mine is a few months older then the president. I am not yet, but I am sure i will be by the time we change presidents. Age has not really been a big deal to me most of the time anyway. Like you said, he is where he is supposed to be.
rainne chandler Jan 21, 2009, 10:36am EST
dont worry about it your still young at heart
Richard Frisbie Jan 21, 2009, 11:06am EST
Given the options, I'll go with getting older.

40 yrs ago I was 195 lbs with a 32 inch waist. Now I am 195 lbs with a 37 inch waist. (and an inch shorter!)
Yesterday: 2 pieces of cheese, 8 triscuits (low sodium) no lunch, no seconds and no dessert. I'm working at it. stay skinny!
Sensational Sadie Sexy Senior Sitizen Jan 21, 2009, 11:08am EST
Richard that is a case of furniture disease if I ever heard of one.

You chest is slipping into your drawers.
David W. Jan 21, 2009, 11:34am EST
Got ya! I was born in 1940, the end of the Great Depression, before we entered WW II and Roosevelt was President.
John S. (arizona) Jan 21, 2009, 4:17pm EST
Yeah, me too... sigh. Kind of freaky, LOL.
Thanks for pointing that out to me... I think. ;-)
Heather ~of the Whippets~ M. Jan 21, 2009, 6:03pm EST
He is the first President who is actually of my generation. He actually speaks my "language." It is an incredible thing to finally have a President who truly makes sense to me.
ISABEL Y. Jan 21, 2009, 10:01pm EST
I'm also alder than the President, now that you mentioned it. But its okay, just remember that like fine wine, we are just getting better with age.
Vicky Duggins Jan 21, 2009, 11:36pm EST
It's the first time voting for a person younger than me, too, Mariana. How did we slip over into this senior generation so quickly?
Ladybounty ~. Jan 22, 2009, 6:42pm EST
lol Mariana......I hadn't thought of this! For the first time in my life I am older than the President too and it's about time. We need the youth to take over. Too bad they've inherited such a mess but if anyone can straighten it out President Obama (doesn't that have a great ring to it?) can! Where did the time go? Seems like only yesterday I was a young girl. Honey.... Just remember.......we're not getting older......we're getting better!
Anita D. Jan 24, 2009, 12:02am EST
Yikes - me too. I had not thought about that. Guess I am officially a senior now!
Priscilla P. Jan 26, 2009, 11:01pm EST
History in a flash with an interesting end.
Lynn R. Jan 28, 2009, 9:52pm EST
Believe it or not I thought about that same thing a few days ago. I was sad for a second but it was bound to happen. ;)
Donna T. Jan 30, 2009, 4:43pm EST
Oh, great. Me too. I didn't realize this before. Thanks for telling me. ;)
Krista P. Feb 5, 2009, 7:36pm EST
It's not how old you are, its how good you are...and you are very, very good! Besides, some of the best people you know (and are married to) your age or older! Living proof!

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