Who are YOU calling old?!
I was having a drink with a buddy recently when I nudged his arm and pointed across the bar. “Look at those two old geezers over there. Someday, that’ll be us.”
He looked over at them, then at me, and shook his head. “You dumb shit, that’s the mirror behind the bar. Those old geezers are us!”
Yes, I’m trying to use humor to make my point today. Crap. I forgot what my point was. Oh, yeah! Getting old 😊
Today’s blog post is mostly addressed to my younger readers out there, who look at folks in their fifties and beyond as being old. It’s okay, it’s okay, I get it. I was in my twenties once upon a time and had similar notions as you do now (Sorry Mom!). And yes, folks my age and older are physically getting to that dreaded old age point, but what I failed to learn back then—what I hope to teach you now—is that we aren’t really that old. Let me explain.
Think about the things you enjoy doing: Hanging out with friends, enjoying adult beverages, checking out live music, going to the beach, playing video games, traveling, and admiring the attractiveness of our fellow humans. Guess what? We old folks love all that same stuff and more! Sure, the fashions and musical acts vary from generation to generation, but even those trends seem to circle back around, don’t they?
For instance, my twenty-three-year-old granddaughter came over recently and asked Alexa to play folk music. Folk music! She and my sixty-something wife sang along to several songs together. Another granddaughter loves wearing bell-bottoms and hippie clothing, while a third one listens to country music and enjoys playing board games. The other grandkids are into traveling and seeing new sights. These are things us old folks also love to do!
Now, I’m really going to blow your mind, dear young ones. Imagine your current thoughts, feelings, and attitudes, then add in decades of knowledge, life experience, and know-how. That is a powerful combo that we old ones possess. Let that sink in. While you’re wondering what your next few years will be like, we’ve already been there, done that, got the t-shirt and hat. We may be old on the outside, but young on the inside, where it counts!
Do you honestly think we never partied, experimented, or chased after romantic partners? How do you think you all came into being, anyway? That’s right, we were once the hot young crowd, carrying on and daring the world to mess with us. We had big dreams and blueprints for how our lives were going to play out. And we’re still going! Hell, I’m in my late fifties (a nicer way to say I’m almost sixty) and I still wonder what I’m going to be when I grow up! We’ve all heard the saying “You’re only as old as you feel” and “Age is just a number,” among others. I believe in those sentiments, since, until whoever/whatever is running this whole game tells me I’m done playing, I plan to keep exploring all aspects of this life, with younger people and older ones alike. I mean, why not? You’re all pretty cool to hang out with, after all!
You kids have probably already caught onto today’s message, but let me hammer it home for you:
Stop dissing us as being too freaking old!
Let go of your preconceived notions and come hang out with us.
We’re a lot of fun, you know.
I’d even go as far as saying we’re dope, lit, fire, sick, and rad.
(You old folks may need to look these expressions up. They’re legit!)
Look, you old timers are not off the hook either:
Start making plans with the younger people in your life!
Read up on what this generation is into. You might be pleasantly surprised.
Then, have some fun and teach each other things.
It’ll keep you young!
This life is all about sharing, learning, and caring.
And it doesn’t matter who contacts who first. Let go of that crap and get going!
(Yes, texting, Instagram, Tik-Tok, Snapchat, and others are valid ways to communicate, so step out of your comfort zone and learn about them)
And now back to you youngsters. I hope my post helps you see the older generation in a new light. Remember to include us in your lives! We have a lot to offer, and not just life lessons. We still enjoy hanging out, cracking jokes, sharing good food, playing games, listening to music, even throwing a few F-Bombs around.
Just let us get in a good nap first 😉
Thanks for tuning in today, everyone. May you all walk away with a new perspective, regardless of your age group. We’re all in this together, so let’s make this world better, one dispelled preconceived notion at a time.
Hey, and whatever you are, however old you are, be a good one!
-Dave
