When Does One Become Elderly?
57Me? Old?
Remember when you were a kid and thought anyone over 30 was old? When you get to your 30th birthday, 30 suddenly feels very young and maybe 50 is old. Your 50th birthday comes and you realize how awesome life is and you don't feel old, although the mirror and your joints may tell you different. I'm past 50 and my brain no longer tells me I'm young, but it tells me I am mature, smart, confident and beautiful in my own way. I no longer care what others think of me and that is a great feeling. I take time for myself, knowing that it is good for my soul to do so. I really like being in my 50's.
Although I give it passing thought from time to time, I don't worry about what my 60's will bring. I have learned to live one day at a time, savoring it and squeezing all I can from it, so I can't believe another decade will change that much.
My grandkids must think I'm "elderly". At what age does one go from middle-aged to elderly? I always thought "elderly" certainly meant crippled over with white hair, wrinkles and no teeth, but with today's easy access to hair coloring, joint replacements, plastic surgery and cosmetic dentistry, I think it has taken on new meaning. No one (with plenty of money) has to look elderly, so elderly must mean more than one's appearance.
I can't do cartwheels or handsprings anymore, but I stopped trying back in my twenties. I simply didn't see any sense in doing them anymore. I can't lift a two year old up to touch their head on the ceiling or flip them down my body anymore. Let their parents do the hard lifting! Maybe it's the clothes I wear, although I tend to wear what their parents do--jeans and tee shirt. Maybe it's that I can't stay up beyond 9:30 (on a good night!). I'm much too slow to play a good game of tag; I'm always "it". Maybe elderly means you've lost these abilities?
Maybe elderly is a label that sounds better than old, but I don't think it would sound better if someone referred to me as old or elderly. I think aging sounds better than either. How about if we save the labels old and elderly for those over 95 and refer to everyone between the ages of 50 and 94 as "aging beautifully". Doesn't that sound a lot better?
I went to the beach with my granddaughter a few years ago and she made me the Queen of the Beach--gave me tattoos and crown to prove it!
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You're right, elderly is a harsh word. "Ederly" once meant just "older" but it now has such a negative association with it. I'd say you're ederly when you can no longer rely on yourself to get through life.
I am older, my bones ache and my high blood pressure, but I still can get around and get done what needs to be done. Some days are better than others. Life is good!
I am old but I am lucky to be able to move around as good as my teenage grandchildren--and I said "move around" not run around. I also do not associate the word -elderly -with someone until they are in their 90's.
Until I look in the mirror, I don't feel old at all. And,therefore,I rarely look in a mirror.You are right sherrylou57 life is good.
Sometimes I felt sad when I think that my parents are becoming elderly. Then I observe them: my mother has a lot of passions and she is always active, my father every day does a bike ride or a long walk. They have time, health and energy. This is a great period for them!
moonlake 13 months ago
I'm old but still feel like 17 just can't get around like I did at 17. Now instead of parties to go to it's doctor appointments.