When Did It Happen?

I got old.  How did it happen?

I have found myself lately in situations where  apparently my age has shown through.

At Wal-Mart I was buying some alcohol.  Apparently it’s been a while since I’ve done this because I’ve ALWAYS been carded…ALWAYS.  Without even thinking as he was checking out my beer I just handed over my license.  I got a look from my young checker guy that was so perplexed and confused that I had to address it.  I told him this is my license to check that I’m of a legal age.  He said “Oh, I know.  You look way old enough.  I don’t need to check.”  What!?!  Seriously, I look way old enough?  Perhaps that was a bit of an overstatement. 

So, I related the story of outrage and horror to my husband who lovingly replies, “well you do look old enough and you have a few wrinkles around the eyes.”  (Chris denies ever saying this.) What?!?!  Again this was not the comforting statements of encouragement I needed.

Then I relate this story to a group of my girlfriends. They all agreed that I did not look WAY old enough and that the checker was out of line.  Thank you girlfriends…that’s what I needed to hear…even if it’s not quite the truth.  A little white lie like that one never hurt anyone…keep them coming girlfriends;)

I felt old.

Well, apparently not only do I look “old”, but I’m acting old as well.  In my neighborhood some boys had been dropped off by the bus and were standing on the street corner horsing around.  As I was driving by I felt that the horsing around looked a little too dangerous.  So I backed my car up, rolled down my window and told those “hooligans” to head home.

I got the eye rolls, the sighs, and “whatevers” thrown my way.  Some were reluctant to leave so I said I would escort them.  And I did.  I drove down the street following them all the way home.  Seriously, I did. 

I related this story to Chris and all I got was a look of pure mortification.  He couldn’t even comment on my actions because he was so embarrassed.

I thought it needed to be done, but apparently my actions were that of an old person.

Finally, my internal skeleton, where they eye cannot see, is aging as well.  I never understood older people who talked about their aches and pains.  Now, I’m beginning to understand.

In the morning the snap, crackle, and pop isn’t from my breakfast cereal it’s from my body getting out of bed.  What!?!? 

Sitting too long in one place creates muscle soreness that lasts for days.  What?!?!

And don’t even get me started on late night snacking, eating spicy food, or caffeine past 6:00 pm.  TUMS and Tylenol PM are my new best friends if any of those situations arise.

I’m getting older and that’s ok.  It’s interesting to see how I’m relating more and more to the “old” folks and less and less to the “young”. 

The Senior Citizen Homes really do hold appeal.  It might not be too much longer until that becomes my place to socialize;)