Age is just a number

Lately, my back has been bothering me more than usual. I push through and walk - that seems to be the best therapy for it. I don't want to take pain medication because who wants that?

I also recently got new glasses - the euphemistically called "progressives", which are really trifocals.

I was in a neighborhood store today and when the owner complimented my glasses, I joked that they were "old people" glasses and were trifocals. I don't know why I bothered saying that. It's not like he asked. But, he said, "Age is just a number."

He smiled.Told me he'd just turned 70. He looked like he was in his 50s, max. I told him that.

“I told you - age is just a number."

We laughed together, and then I walked out with a smile on my face.

He was right, though. I don't feel old a lot of the time, though I do need more sleep than I used to. That's also called being a parent - what parent gets enough sleep?

Age is both a reality and a construct. As we get older, our bodies do change. My eyesight has gotten worse. My back has gotten worse. But I refuse to let any of that define me. I walk my dog for miles when I can. When my back twinges, I ignore it and push through (though I am more careful about picking up heavy objects so as not to throw it out completely. I mean, I'm not an idiot).

So next time you're feeling old - just remember: Age is just a number. Be who you want to be.

Photo by Bridget McKenzie via Flickr Creative Commons.