How to know when you are old (Part 6)

[vito]

I've started or added to numerous threads over the last few years on this subject (I'm guessing about 5 previous threads) but I think I know the answer now. Its not necessarily when you decide there is nothing new that you want. Its not when conversations with friends and family primarily involve your medical ailments. And its not when you go out in public wearing shorts and high black socks (but this is close). The real answer is that you are old when or if you suddenly drop dead without warning, while many might be saddened, few will be shocked. When you are old enough that instead of total surprise, other folks next comment is "Well, he WAS xx after all". At 81 I know I am old, and approaching "really old" (when I worked in the nursing home field, we considered 85 as the beginning of really old age). I feel quite sure that if I don't make it to tomorrow, some would just shake their heads and say "Well, you know he was already 81!".

One advantage, however, of getting old is having a decreased concern for what other people think. I know much of my family, and many old friends are lifelong liberals and still think the Democrat Party is the one that cares, and are appalled that I am a Trump supporter. Many of my family think that my membership in the NRA shows signs of insanity, and the fact that I still ride motorcycles just convinces them that I am beyond hope. And I would find it hard to care even less than I do that they think that and feel the way that they do.

 

[thinckley]

And here I thought you knew you were old when you pull something trying to tie your shoes, or get out of bed...

 

[vito]

That happens as well. Not as bad as dropping dead.

 

[mexicanjoe911]

Try this one for size: I personally knew of a 90 year rancher who worked every single day until he passed at 96 years. Lived alone and did all his shopping and everything. Fell down one day and couldnt get up. Next day he was not at the cafe so we all went to his 5000 acre ranch to find : he was sleeping under his truck happy as a clam because it rained on him. Age means nothing if you live life large.

 

[Ride1949]

I think I posted this on one of the other threads. It still holds true today.

 

[Bob Wright]

My Dad used to say, "I'm not old, just been here a long time."

Ignore the calendar. Hide your aches and pains. Don't slump or limp as you walk. And don't take up with women your age.

Old age is your enemy, fight it when you can!

Bob Wright

 

[Fox Mike]

At 87+ I can officially be called really old then. I go with Eastwood's saying of "Don't let the old man in!". Sometimes each day is a challenge and other times great. Remember ... The only EASY DAY was yesterday.

 

[44Squatch]

You know you're old when you have "upstairs ibuprofen" and "downstairs ibuprofen"

 

[foolslife]

I know what day it is by looking at my daily pill organizer!

 

[Jeepnik]

You know your old when you fall out of the shower and the next day you feel like you were hit by a truck. Yep, last night about 2300 hrs. Right shoulder is toast. But on the bright side, I'm a southpaw.

 

[thinckley]

You know you're old when you have "upstairs ibuprofen" and "downstairs ibuprofen"

You are forgetting "car ibuprofen", "desk ibuprofen" and "workbench ibuprofen".

 

[Old Muleskinner]

I keep saying "it's a really good time to be old", and " it sure seems strange being the same age as old people"

 

[jdavis]

My index finger and thumb were swollen and painful. Having fractured my other hand previously, I knew the feeling and headed to the doctor. After the examination and X-ray I was informed that I had osteoarthritis and that at "my age" it is not uncommon. I suppose that the doctor was nicely telling me that I am an old man.

 

[Mobuck]

When I'm talking about someone whom I describe as 'an old guy' and Son points out the person is younger than me.
I'm not as old as many others but as with vehicles, it's the miles and the load that makes a big difference. I've been doing what I'm still doing since I was 12-13 years old so I had a head start on many others my age. Son is a 2-3 day per week farmer due to job requirements and his Son is an 'iffy' (if he can't find somewhere else to be or an excuse to be somewhere else) farmer. That leaves ME to hold the fort against whatever comes up the rest of the time. Maybe not a terrible position since I'm not a 'sitter' and need to be busy--just sometimes way too busy for my age.

 

[Guv]

I've started or added to numerous threads over the last few years on this subject (I'm guessing about 5 previous threads) but I think I know the answer now. Its not necessarily when you decide there is nothing new that you want. Its not when conversations with friends and family primarily involve your medical ailments. And its not when you go out in public wearing shorts and high black socks (but this is close). The real answer is that you are old when or if you suddenly drop dead without warning, while many might be saddened, few will be shocked. When you are old enough that instead of total surprise, other folks next comment is "Well, he WAS xx after all". At 81 I know I am old, and approaching "really old" (when I worked in the nursing home field, we considered 85 as the beginning of really old age). I feel quite sure that if I don't make it to tomorrow, some would just shake their heads and say "Well, you know he was already 81!".

One advantage, however, of getting old is having a decreased concern for what other people think. I know much of my family, and many old friends are lifelong liberals and still think the Democrat Party is the one that cares, and are appalled that I am a Trump supporter. Many of my family think that my membership in the NRA shows signs of insanity, and the fact that I still ride motorcycles just convinces them that I am beyond hope. And I would find it hard to care even less than I do that they think that and feel the way that they do.

One of my biggest gripes is all the acronyms!
I swear, it's like a new, different language WTH Seems like a new one is hatched every day.
Would it qualify as knowing how to speak a second language if you were fluent at it? Doesn't matter, I'm not.
Also, do guns really run, like a dog or maybe even an engine?
I decided to find out, I put my Beretta on the floor and said, "alright boy, go get'em"!
Gun just looked at me.
So, I thought maybe it needs to be loaded, fueled up if you will.
Again, it had the last laugh
Stupid aggravations but hey, it helps the days go by

 

[thinckley]

One of my biggest gripes is all the acronyms!
I swear, it's like a new, different language WTH Seems like a new one is hatched every day.
Would it qualify as knowing how to speak a second language if you were fluent at it? Doesn't matter, I'm not.
Also, do guns really run, like a dog or maybe even an engine?
I decided to find out, I put my Beretta on the floor and said, "alright boy, go get'em"!
Gun just looked at me.
So, I thought maybe it needs to be loaded, fueled up if you will.
Again, it had the last laugh
Stupid aggravations but hey, it helps the days go by

FWIW and IMHO, I LOLed to see you included WTH in the rant against acronyms.

 

[ex13F]

I have a variation of this on the wall behind me. I had to clean this one up to be forum acceptable, but you get the meaning.

 

[bobski]

you know youre old when you realize that your wife is the only woman looking at you.....and cares about you.

 

[Pyromike]

Not sure if I posted before but I'm in my 50's and there are people my age who bungee jump, sky dive, and climb mountains. I'm lucky if I can get one foot in my underwear without falling over.

 

[thinckley]

Not sure if I posted before

They say that memory is one of the first things to go.