Worst thing about getting old?

[Franklin]

This is a bit ancillary to the topic, but being an older parent is the worst thing for me about getting old.
I'll turn 50 this year, and I have 6 and 10 year-old daughters. I'm usually very good at taking things as they come, but it can make me a bit blue sometimes to think I'm not ten years younger for them. It also blows my mind to know my best friend will also turn 50, and he has a 25 year-old daughter, while here I am at a Girl Scout event with my 6 year-old and I'm surrounded by some fathers who are barely 30.

Gives me incentive to take care of myself, though. But someday it will occur to my daughters that they have a comparatively older father, and that may play on their minds. That prospect bothers me, too.

But think of the strenght, wisdom and calm you can offer them that a 30 year old cannot.

I'm betting you're gonna more than make up for being a tad over the traditional age.

Thanks. I do believe that's so. Especially financial and emotional stability. After all, my wife and I did decide to do it this way. Get our careers straight and all, first. And, it's not that uncommon these days.

I can laugh off some of it, too. About a year ago, I was in the checkout line at the supermarket with my youngest daughter. A man in his 70s was in line behind me. He was admiring my daughter. "What a beautiful little girl," he told me. "Is she your granddaughter?" Meh. That's life. In response, I decided I'd start coloring my hair.
And speaking of hair, also on the bright side for me, I still have a full head of it. Some of those younger fathers are already balding or bald.

 

[RJDiogenes]

^^ That used to happen to my Father with my youngest Brother all the time.

 

[Nick086]

I think the worst thing about getting old is you have to depend on others. When your younger you didn't have to worry about that. You could be that old man on the streets pushing a cart full of cans, bottles, and glass or the old man living in Florida in a retirement community.

 

[T'Bonz]

^
That's true. I worry about becoming dependent, having my health fail to the point where I need lots of help, or *heaven forbid* getting Alzheimers. That doesn't seem to run in my family, but who knows?

 

[indranee]

yeah, I think one of the worst things is when you get a pain somewhere in your body and you think ugh, what is THAT?!?

before, I'd just ignore it and it'd eventually go away. I'd have no thought on mortality or going to the doctor or investigating. if it DIDN'T go away, I'd go to the doctor and get meds.

now, it's a whole other ballgame. now, it's about life, and just perhaps, the end of it. I mean, I know it's stupid and it's just paranoia. but it sucks nevertheless.

 

[RandyS]

yeah, I think one of the worst things is when you get a pain somewhere in your body and you think ugh, what is THAT?!?

Now see, this is one advantage of having Cerebral Palsy. Pain has been a lifelong companion that I have gotten used to, and sometimes, don't even notice. The days I wake up and don't feel pain are a happy surprise--and rare.

Yeah, it DOES get worse as you get older, but all that means for me is more adjustment stamina-wise.

 

[indranee]

I get ya. pain is a bitch. I have a dear friend who has CP and she can teach me a thing or two about patience. hang in there!