The “new middle age” is said to now start at 65. That’s good news for those of us this side of 50. It can portend that the best is yet to be. S. M. Hutchins, in Touchstone (June 2008) writes:
I have a hard time not laughing at 25-year-olds who are under the impression that they know enough to have become disillusioned and cynical—who mope around quoting Sartisms to whomever is unfortunate enough to be in listening range. This sort of person has been the butt of a good amount of humor over the years, and rightly so.
It doesn’t take much reflection, however, to see that the 80-year-old who thinks age gives him the right to the same attitude is in exactlyi the same boat.
The new middle age may start at 65, but I suspect some things about getting older will not change. Below, a little perspective on getting older from some who’ve been there:
- A man has reached middle age when he is cautioned to slow down by his doctor instead of by the police.
- Middle age is having a choice of two temptations and choosing the one that will get you home earlier.
- You know you’re into middle age when you realize that caution is the only thing you care to exercise.
- Don’t worry about avoiding temptation. As you grow older, it will avoid you.
- Don’t take life so seriously … it’s not permanent.
- As for me, except for an occasional heart attack, I feel as young as I ever did. (Robert Benchley)
- As we grow older year by year, my husband always mourns: the less and less we feel our oats, the more we feel our corns.
- I have everything I had 20 years ago, only it’s all a little bit lower. (Gypsy Rose Lee)
- You’re getting old when getting lucky means you find your car in the parking lot.
- You’re getting old when tying one on means fastening your MedicAlert bracelet.
- You’re getting old when you don’t care where your wife goes, just so you don’t have to go along.
- You’re getting old when you wake up with that morning-after feeling, and you didn’t do anything the night before.
