Gray, The New Black
Somehow it happened. One day I was considered one of the “younger” ones at work and the next, I’m definitely one of the “older” ones. How did this happen? I look around the table at staff meetings and I feel older.
I shouldn’t complain, though, because I also have noticed that there’s a certain amount of respect given to someone who looks like he or she has some experience. So, maybe I should look at it that way. I’m not old – just experienced.
But age has been popping up more and more lately and, for someone in his mid-thirties, I never gave it much thought before now. But I am getting older. There’s no denying that. My hair (that which is not migrating North) is getting more gray and less black every day. My waist line isn’t what it used to be and I find myself saying things like “You were born in 1985? I remember 1985!”
Hopefully I can stay young enough to interact with the kids. That’s all I want. I used to have some delusion that I could keep my sprinting skills (Go CU!) sharp enough to challenge the kids well into their teen years. I’m not so sure that’s a realistic goal now. They’ll just have to listen to stories about how fast their “Old Man” was “back in the day.” (And I’ll try not to get faster as time goes by, but I can’t guarantee anything)
I guess that’s what I get for waiting so late to have kids. The good part is I got two kids at once so there won’t be a younger one who only sees Daddy in a walker.
Hobble on, friends.
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I hear ya. I look at some of the photos taken of me with Astrid..with her supple baby skin…and I can’t help but notice my skin is not what it used to be. Sad fact I’m getting old. Hubby says it’s okay we’ll watch each other grow old. That’s a nice thought. Rather than dreaming about plastic surgery.
Comment by Rose — September 23, 2005 @ 5:30 pm
Btw both are kids are cute, but your son is super duper cute! He’s got so much personality already. I love the Winnie the Pooh outfit.
Comment by Rose — September 23, 2005 @ 5:32 pm
My brother-in-law, who I am VERY fond of, is 51.
His wife (my husband’s sister) is pregnant.
With twins.
Due in April.
In May, Brother-In-Law will be 52.
Feeling younger now?
My work here is done.
(Oh, AND they have a daughter who will be three in December.)
Comment by Susan — September 23, 2005 @ 5:54 pm
When I was 18 and working at my first *real* job, a woman in the office kept asking, “HOW old are you?!?” Then she’d say, “OMG! I have SHOES older than you!!!”
Well, it’s not my fault that she couldn’t keep up with her shoe shopping, but I swore I would never do that to anyone.
With each passing year, though, it’s getting harder and harder not to do it. Someone will just have to SLAP me when I start talking about walking to school. In the snow. Uphill. Both ways.
Comment by Becky — September 23, 2005 @ 7:06 pm
Rose: Thank you for the nice compliment for Jonathan. He certainly comes off looking great in a lot of photos. Bri’s personality is made for video. I’ll have to figure out a way to get that up!
Susan: Yes, thank you, I feel much better now! (Thank God we don’t already have a small child!)
Becky: You walked to school, in the snow, uphill too?!
Comment by Matthew — September 23, 2005 @ 7:55 pm
Yes. Yes, I did.
Hey. Go tell Savage Stories to go to Aruba!
http://savagestories.blogspot.com/
Comment by Becky — September 23, 2005 @ 8:43 pm
I roll my eyes. You’re not old. Geez. Neither am I, and I think I have at least five years on you. I am, however, a fully-fledged adult, and I like that!
As for that generation gap, being able to relate to your kids? Kids *like* a generation gap: it makes them feel powerful and in the know and hip and all that. And you’re not. Nyah, nyah. So I let them have it. I may not know this moment’s fleeting fads in dress, music, movies, and all, but I am rooted in a way they just aren’t yet, and they need that.
But you don’t want to be their buddy, anyway, you want to be their parent: mentor, advisor, older, wiser introducer-to-life. My kids (mostly teens) and I have a code we use when they’re asking permission to do something over the phone, with their friends standing round them. I ask if they have any homework. If they say, “Only math”, then I’m to say “No”. Sometimes it’s nice to have an (old!) mom who’ll say “No” for you!
So be proud of those gray hairs, Matthew! You are exactly what your kids need!
Comment by Mary — September 25, 2005 @ 5:10 am
I loved the title to this post!
Comment by MIM — September 26, 2005 @ 11:26 am
I know where you’re coming from Matthew. Although work has a majority of thirty-somethings like me we’re always getting in younger college grads. Of course they’re 23/24 to my 34 and their actions just give them away as immature and inexperienced. I often wonder if the people ten years my senior said the same thing about me 10 years ago… :-\
As far as having kids later, I think it’s much better this way. The missus and I have an established relationship and were able to travel and enjoy each other as a couple for 6 years before taking the leap into parenthood. Plus we’re more financially secure and emotionally mature…well, at least she is.
Comment by tod — September 26, 2005 @ 8:09 pm
Been there. I work in a hospital and I well remember the day that I was older than the residents.
Comment by Busy Mom — September 27, 2005 @ 9:33 am
Oh, and I’m 41 with a 3 year old if that makes you feel any better. He will go through school with people saying, “Oh, I know that kid, he’s the one with the “older” parents.”
Comment by Busy Mom — September 27, 2005 @ 9:34 am
I keep thinking that when my boys are 15 and want to wrestle with Daddy when he gets home, Daddy will be 54.
Comment by Keith — September 30, 2005 @ 1:22 pm