A conversation in a Restaurant

I always remember my grandma helping out the old people at her church by doing bits of shopping for them. She was 94 at the time and lived alone in her own home for another two years after that. She told me age 95 she didnt feel old at all inside her head. I am afraid I was in my twenties at the time and I thought she was insane, but now I am in my 70s I understand perfectly. In my head I am about mid 40s, maybe a bit younger!

grandtante
No need to apologise, you’re right. Some people have obviously forgotten how they viewed older adults when they were teenagers/ young adults.
Exactly the same as teenagers/ young adults view us now.

Maggiemaybe

Well I actually thought I was vibrant and energetic , but I must have been looking very poor old soul-ish yesterday when a young till assistant at Superdrug urged me to make sure to zip up my bag very carefully because there are pickpockets about. She'd already gently pointed out to me that the mini toiletries I'd bought for my holiday weren't very good value compared to the full size ones. And then she urged me to "take good care now" as I left the shop. I was quite touched by her obvious concern for an old dear, but I swear when I left the shop I felt at least 10 years older.

Look at it another way, you will have made her feel good!

I'm 62 & wince when people tell me 'you look good - for your age'. Suppose I should be flattered

Can’t ever recall being called a ‘poor old soul’. When compared to the average 82 year old I know I’m of sound body and mind….I love tending my garden….also keep an allotment going and work hard at growing my own veggies…..I’m an active member at the gym (always at spinning classes - twice weekly early morning classes - and belong to two tennis clubs and play two or three times a week with a bunch of my like minded buddies all summer long. Every year I take one adventuresome holiday abroad - alone, without my ‘home body’ husband) and navigating airports and flying alone doesn’t phase me ……..and I’ve lived nearly 20 years longer than my mother (who was a dear old soul when she died - due to ill health, inactivity and smoking,)

I expect there are reasons why the person was called a poor old soul.

I doubt it's because they don't wear trendy clothes or do their gardening.

My mother in law had a hysterectomy in her early 40s and instantly embraced old age. "Now I don't have to bother about all the sex stuff" (not sure how my father in law felt about that) and her wardrobe devolved into 3 or 4 crimplene dresses and a dreary black coat that made her look as if she was permanently at a funeral. Obviously no need for make up and her hair was piled into a bun on top of her head.

My godmother on the other hand had an active social life well into her 90s and, at nearly 100, was found on the floor after trying to climb on a chair on top of a table to reach a shelf. She wasn't hurt, but did admit it was time to stop climbing.

Deeda - both your m.I.l. and your godmother made me smile.

I'm not sure how old I feel in my head - certainly not my age. I think perhaps when I was in my 40's or 50's was a time when I decided that a career wasn't everything but to get fulfillment from my life outside work. At the same time life was more interesting but calm too. Not much change since then (now 77) - just the body aging.

I was on holiday in Italy with my mum who was about 85 at the the time and i was 56 which made her 29 yeats older then me the time and and someone in the hotel whete we were staying asked me where my sister was!

Talking with my 9yr old DGD, we thought I should aim to live to 137.
She was happy with that idea.
Then I said that if I did, she would then be about the age I am now.
She looked absolutely horrified!

One of my meals on wheels volunteers was in his high 80 s, driving around ( like a lunatic, very fast) and all the ones he delivered to were younger than him and they loved him to bits. He was an ex minister of religion, lively as a cricket. In the end they took his license off him because he crashed into a fence, good job it was only a fence, looking back!

I was dealing with a transaction face to face in my bank where I was constantly being referred to as 'my dear' by the young man serving me. I asked why I was being referred to in this way and told him I preferred to be addressed by my name and title - or Madam if he preferred. With my best smile of course. He was a bit taken aback but dropped the 'my dear'.

In my head I believe that I'm still 25. I just wish my legs knew that. I'm 77 but a lot of my friends ae in the 30/40 age group. I enjoy my own company and can chill whenever I want but it's always nice when a friend drops by. We all need to enjoy our elder years.

I’m 57 and work in a school …I look good for my age and I’m glam…well I thought so until one of the children said your old 😂😂