Things That Make Me Feel Old

October 2 is my brother's birthday. My first memory is going to the hospital with my father to see my crying baby brother. The next time I saw him I was with my grandmother. To my almost 4 year old eyes, the baby seemed to be laughing. The older he gets, the older I feel. I have memories that are 61 years old!

My son will turn 36 November 1. Looking at this mature, balding, often bearded male makes me feel old, too. When you think of becoming a parent, you don't dream of days with your 30+ year old children. That's probably why we still see them as they were as toddlers or even teens. I've tried to ask my mother how she feels as we age, but she doesn't even keep up with how old we are.

My birthday is the 17th, so I'll be thinking about age anyway. I've been bombarded with brochures about Medicare and insurance since I'll be turning 65. It's like a daily reminder that I'm officially getting old.

My high school reunion is a reminder we're getting old. My last one was a 45th. Most of the people reading this weren't alive 45 years ago.

Kirstie Alley mentioned this week on Dancing with the Stars that she was 3 times older than contestant Shawn Johnson who is 20. Doing that kind of math makes me feel really old. One night while working child care at church, I realized that I was older than all the 8 children combined.

It helps a bit that I'm surrounded by people a little older. My mother and stepfather are 85 and just beginning to slow down a bit. They go out at least 4 times a week. My ex who just got a promotion at work will be 70 in early January. My couple friends are all a few years older than I am. That helps to balance out some of the aging consciousness somehow.

What are things that make you feel old?