Getting Old

It was my birthday the other day.  I've now reached the ripe old age of 55.


55 is definitely 'middle aged'.  In fact 55 is probably just OLD?!!  I can now join the U3A (University of the 3rd Age).  I've been able to go on SAGA holidays for the last 5 years but haven't.


I look old.  My 14 year old niece asked me the other day how long I'd been dying my hair for.  I've been dying it since I was 14.  I don't even know what colour my real hair is???  Probably very grey!!!


The trouble with being in ones' 50's is that from now on it's all doom & gloom.


These days when I go out with friends we don't discuss who's getting married or who's had a baby or who's got a fab new job with fantastic career prospects.


These days we discuss ailments & illnesses, who's become a grandmother, who's died, and if any of us oldies have got a new job we compete with each other as to who has the 'easiest' time at work.  We no longer want a career.  All we want is to make a bit of money, do the job without any responsibility or hassle and go home.


I guess there are a few good things about getting old..............................


By now we've realised what is important in life.  We value our health, our family & our friends.  We've learnt from experience that happiness is what is important.  No amount of money is able to buy that.  We've realised that 'academic qualifications' that our parents pushed us into achieving in the 1970s are not the bee all and end all in having a successful career.  We've experienced life and we know what we want and what is important to us.


.................But by now a lot of us do have a 'disposal' income.  Our mortgages have been paid off 'cos we've had them for more than 25 years, our car insurance is lower because we've been driving for years and have 'no claims' bonuses, and we only have ourselves to look after.  OK I do because I'm a middle aged ranting single female spinster.  Those of you with kids will probably disagree 'cos you'll be paying for them forever.


I guess getting old is like everything else - there's advantages and disadvantages?????


And to be honest - the majority of us oldies love our lives!!!!