Signs of Aging

What was that noise? I was alone in the house except for my two cats, and they both were curled up peacefully, snoozing the afternoon away. One stretched out on the couch and the other curled up on a pillow. No one seemed to notice the or opened an eye to investigate the sound. They must have heard it, I know I did not imagine that creaking, cracking sound!!

Oh well, it probably was just the floorboards in my old nineteenth century house. But, wait! There it was again. I hear that strange creaking with almost every step I take. But, odd, still no sign of a reaction from the cats. And, I'm sure it was not the floorboards creaking.

I sat down aside my sleepy cat, and I hear that sound again. This time the answer smacks me between the eyes. It was no ordinary creaking or popping sound and actually the noise wasn't even that audible.

But, to a woman hearing the sound of a creaking knee joint for the first time, well, it sounded liked a thunderbolt! It seemed to be screaming OLD! And, getting old for any woman in this youth-obsessed culture is not something to be brushed aside easily.

It seems so sudden that I can no longer dismiss the noticeable lack of flexibility as only a lapse in my exercise routine. Okay, so maybe my exercise routine is occasional, at best. Could it be diet? Do I eat too much protein or too little? Maybe I'm getting too many carbs … maybe not enough? Perhaps there's too much fat in my diet. No, that couldn't be true, it must be the lack of fat in my diet. It must be any number of causes because it can't be … old age!

No! This will not happen, I will not allow it to happen! I will fight and not go easily into the 'good night.' I will fight this aging monster tooth and nail. I'll get all the information and advertisements for all the newest age-defying products, and then buy every chemical substance that claims to turn back the clock. Even if the fix is for just a few hours, I might look fabulous and young … well, younger anyway.

I will lose those last five pounts … well, okay, maybe it's 10 to 15 pounds, at the most. But, that all depends on the time of day and how far I can lean to the left without falling off the scale.

I'll get a new hairdo in the latest youthful fashion, update my wardrobe, shoes and makeup. I'm sure I can sport those belly blouses and second-skin jeans once those extra pounds are gone. After all, fashion is the mark of any young and hip living thing, and yep that's me … young and hip! Okay, so maybe hippy could be more of an accurate term, but still I am young at heart.

I am YOUNG! Don't you hear me? Stop ignoring me, I'm only 30 … in my mind, in my heart, in my thinking, and in the way I drool over Brad Pitt and Boo Boo Stewart. I'm just like you Miss Young and Perfect Figure with Perfect Skin and Hair, and you with Your Whole Life Ahead of You.

In the business world, you hesitate to even interview me for a job that I'm sure would be just perfect for me. You are reluctant to hire me because I'm of a 'certain' age. Perhaps you wonder just how many productive years I have left and you don't want to bother teaching me new skills.

Well, think about this. I'm not going to work for a short while and then depart on maternity leave. I'm not going to jump from one job to another because I need to spread my wings while I figure out what I want to do with my life. Been there, done that. However, you don't even consider these options when a youthful applicant applies for a job. You just assume that 'young' means longevity in the workplace. Well, I hate to shock you, but it doesn't! Actually you might get more working years out of a mature woman who's near the end of her working career. You'll get loyalty, appreciation … similar to an older woman being noticed by a younger man.

I'm a caring and responsible woman with value. I also have something you cannot get from the young … it's lifetime experience, a whole lot of them. It's the responsibilities, caring, and experiences that got me to where I am today. Old, wrinkled and even creaky!

But, one thing you can be sure of is that my thoughts are not old, wrinkled or creaky. Those things are only on the exterior of myself, the things you see. Unfortunately, you will probably not take the time to really look at me and get to know me. You'd be surprised at what you'd see, if you did. You'd see a beautiful mature woman with much love and even sorrow etched on her face. There's also a reflection of a distant flame of youth that, at one time, captivated more than one or two young men. I'm a woman who has lived a full life, yet still have so much life left to live … if only young people do not step in her way and slam the door shut in her face. You'd see the woman who knows the meaning of good manners and courage. As Bette Davis said, "Old Age ain't for sissies."

You will see many things in these eyes … but mostly, you will see you! Yes, that's right, you in 30 years. You will also be fighting to keep your place in the sun, trying not to be knocked down by some young girl who hasn't begun to learn the value of aging, or the lessons to be learned and experiences to be savored. There will be lovers to regret, opportunities lost, unchosen career paths, and moments that will take your breath away.

You haven't suffered the annoyance of trying to read the dark gray and black buttons on a black remote control. What kid designed that; probably someone with 20/20 vision that's who. This is undoubtedly the same person who think they're being cute when they call you "young lady" … as if we don't own a mirror and don't realize we are not young, we are old! Or, the clerk that winks at you and asks if you're really old enough to buy that bottle of liquor or six pack of beer. Really? Do you think this flatters me? Okay, maybe I'm a bit cantankerous in these so-called Golden Years. I can forgive you your tactless humor attempts if you'll overlook my crankiness with your well-intentioned comments that fell way short of hitting the mark.

Not until recently did I appreciate the old adage "Youth is wasted on the young!" But, I do now. Don't waste your youth, but don't knock me down because of your enthusiasm to live today. There is actually enough space on earth for all of us and enough opportunities. We are women … we're born nurturers. Let's nurture and nourish each other. Let us gain respect for each other, no matter how old or how young we are. Why not go through this journey together: You, learning and savoring life from my years of experience, and me … recapturing some of my youth while in your company.

I want to continue embracing life and stand on the street like Mary Tyler Moore with a big smile on my face, and throwing my beret up in the air. Of course, doing that at my age I would probalby just lose my balance and fall to the sidewalk. But, what the heck? There's another life experience!

So, why not enjoy the ride, side by side, sister to sister, and celebrate our womanhood in harmony?