Adhyapika

How OLD are you?

My perception of old age changes as I grow older.So, perhaps does yours. My mother’s does for sure. She often tells me, you are just in your 40s, you have a long life ahead and enough time to do what you want. I wonder whether she was so kind to herself in her 40s.

During a class room discussion one of my students talked of how a 40-year old, middle aged man thoughtlessly reprimanded him for nothing. The old man, had no business messing with me, the boy thundered. I did not like the way the 40-year old was being described, as if his age was his fault. Luckily before I verbalized my discontent, I  realized why I was so sensitive ,I had just hit the 40 mark and was perhaps, not very happy about where I was.

To a younger me, if 40 was the far beyond the prime then  60s and 70s were pre-historic. It’s like the question I get asked often, especially by those of my students who  I taught quite some time back in my 14 year teaching career. Mam, You still teach!!!????  (Some times it makes me feel that I should be in a museum!)

To my father  in his sweet 70s I often say, how dare you think that you are old? It pains me no end  when my mother says that the doctor took the liberty of experimenting with her medicine because she was old.

Whether I admit  it or not, age does get to me and  I find myself cribbing and crying  about  my poor old nerves.

When I hear myself mouth the very same inanities  as my parents and especially those which I enjoyed making fun of , I really know that I am going down the hill,diving into the sunset of my life, ready to kick the bucket…

I have watched a young man live the life of 60 year old in his 30s. He seriously and sincerely believed that mentally,emotionally,spiritually he was at par with his grand old uncle. I have also seen a 50 year old show enough zeal and zest for life that would make a teenager go green with envy.

As I  reach another anniversary of my accidental advent on the planet, I  push the bar of youth a notch higher, after all age is just a number, what say???

 

 

 

 

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adhyapika

17 responses to “How OLD are you?”

  5. Absolutely! Age is just a number. As they say, you’re only as old as you feel. I’ll be 40 next year. I find that unbelievable because I still feel young. And like yourself I find myself horrified when my Dad says he’s “old” – what rubbish!!

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  7. Yes, just a number. I have a gift to make you feel better though. Probably the best gift to give to a teacher. Maybe, I’ll have to personally deliver it to you or would need your postal address 🙂 But Ma’am, as much as I know and as far as I can see, keep enlightening the young generation with your knowledge and the way of teaching. It is because of you, I can count my days of actual disciplined learning. Neither would I stop nor I want you to stop. Love Always! 🙂

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  8. Age is just a number. When I was 16 all above 30 were old. When I became 30 those above 50 were old. Ultimately when I crossed 60 I think thats not an age to retire. Too young. Now anyone above 80 – Oh…. just 80 only….

    Like you wrote – have seen people behaving like 60 at 30 and vice versa. One’s age is what one feels at heart – except of course health which matters.

    So try and stay young as long possible – keep giggling always and also enjoy the company of youngsters.

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    • haha, Mani chechi, have got back to giggling and loving it too and yes, young people like your sweet self, keep me happy. I do believe the basic tendency of human beings even all forms of life, is to be happy, irrespective of where and how we are. Love much:-)

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