We traveled to the big city yet again yesterday for some errands and an eye exam for me. (I was given a Gold Star as my eyeballs and related apparatus ranked super-healthy and haven't changed [read: deteriorated] one whit since three years ago, thank you very much.)
Our optometrist, Dr. T, is a warm, funny, talkative gal with a high degree of intelligence and easy laugh. She also has a quirky fascination for numbers which she sheepishly claims to have had all of her life.
During my exam, looking at my chart, she commented that she and I have a special numerical bond this year.
"How so?" I queried?
"Well," Dr. T explained with a grin on her face. "You were born in '43 and are now 68. I was born in '68 and am now 43."
Oh-kay. I needed a moment or two to ponder that. (Who the heck would ever have even thought of that?)
Later, after hubby returned from running errands while I had my appointment, I told him of my "numbers" conversation with Dr. T. He, too, took a minute to process that birth date/age information . . . and then I could see it visibly on his face as his mind traveled to another thought.
"Wait, she was BORN in '68?! I was through college and out working and we had been married for 5 years in '68!" (Time sure does fly when you're having fun.)
We, obviously, had never thought of our capable optometrist as young enough to be our daughter. (Or was it that we were old enough to be her parents?) Which brings up the point, at what age does chronological age cease to matter or enter into the big picture of friendships and/or relationships?
And . . . is it okay that I ordered new glass frames even though I didn't need to have my prescription changed?
I am so in awe of people who can grasp numbers like that. As far as chronological ages go, I rarely give it much thought. My friends are my friends because of who they are -- although I think most of my friends are close to my age or older. They seem to have had interesting lives, have much to offer, don't give a rap at this point, etc. I guess, if you don't think about ages, it is always a shock to find that you ARE an age. You, Mama Pea, are ageless!
ReplyDeleteThat's an interesting thing to think about, and I admit I've thought about it quite a bit. I've rarely had friends my own age. Mostly they're 10 to 30 years older than I am.
ReplyDeleteI think that close friendships can be developed around either an appreciation for the differences we have between each other or the common interests we share or both. Age can be one of the differences that bring surprises and interesting depth to relationships.
I also love it when people of differing ages form a bond over common interests and learn from each other. :) Great topic of conversation!
Susan - I think there has been a great chasm created these days between most of my generation (and those older) and the younger generations because of both social and technological pressures. And that's all I have to say. ;o]
ReplyDeleteLove,
The Ageless Old Crony
Patty - Mostly your friends are 10-30 years older than you? That is because, my friend, you are a wise (and beautiful), old soul. :o]
I have to say the last few years that I have thought alot about age. I could never figure out, when I was younger, how people could forget how old they were. How do you not know!? But ever since I hit 31 I have no idea how old I am or anyone else for that matter other than my children.
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ReplyDeleteYep, there's no doubt: AGE is a funny thing. I don't think ANY of us feels like we're as old as we are. Or, at least, not until we look in the mirror. ;) As for me, being an only child raised in the sticks (no kids around to play with), I think I was more comfortable at an early age w/ people older than I . . . 'cause that's what I was used to. I remember that I was 22 when C (whom I was dating) turned 52 . . . okay, THAT one WAS weird! And the ex was 42 and I 24 when we met. He was always closer in age to you (11 years) than me (17 1/2 years). Yup, it's a goofy thing. Bottom line, AGE IS RELATIVE!
ReplyDeleteHey, you forgot to mention that Dr. T said you're the only one in the family with "normal eyes"! ;)
It's a long drag - Yup, and I always feel a little dumb when someone asks my age . . . and I have to stop and think about it.
ReplyDeleteChicken Mama - About that looking in the mirror thing, I've noticed that I look the same (so much so that I don't even think about it) UNTIL . . . one day I look older. Just like that. Why does it seem to happen overnight?
When Dr. T said I was the only one in the family with "normal eyes," I told her I was deviant in other ways! ;o}
I have never been one to notice age at all. I have never dated anyone near my age, and of course married a man 15 years older. My friends range in ages both up and down the scale. The only age that is really important is the age of the wine bottle. Oh, and maybe the age of the milk. THAT you have to be careful with :)
ReplyDeletemy relationships surround every age group,especially ages 3 and under I get along with best-lol
ReplyDeletesorry-she did it again--grr
ReplyDeleteI don't think age matters at all in friendships. But I have noticed that lately there are things I remember and my kids have never seen. In other words I'm getting old! I kinda feel like my kids grandma some days instead of their mom.
ReplyDeleteMama Pea you don't age you only get better with time!
Jane - What a chuckle I got out of your wine and milk ages! Isn't it curious, one is better older and one is better "younger." I'll drink to that!
ReplyDeletejudy - You and me both with the little ones! I even like them best as infants before they can run away from me.
Sparkless - Well, you little flatterer, you! Thank you, thank you.
Technology has made it so that our kids (well, what would be your kids and even my grandkids if I had them) have had their lives changed in so many more ways than my generation or yours ever did. It's all going too, too fast!
My friends have always been older than me--I guess I just relate better. Here in this neighborhood, I'm the youngest (the WHOLE area is retirees) and it's never mattered to me or them. I guess it helps I LOOK a lot older (WAY too much being out in the sun!). The only time it ever bothers me is that none of these gals will go hiking/biking. They all have bad knees (or in Dolores' case-bad disposition-LOL!)
ReplyDeleteInteresting question! The issue I have in the military is that most of the other wives are WAY younger than I. The other day one of the wives lost her mom to an illness and she told me her mom was only 41, whoa, I'm 41! It's really difficult for me to relate to any of the under 30 crowd to be quite honest (and most under 35). Sometimes special circumstances will even us out, say being a mother or they way they grew up. Most often though I am more comfortable with friends over about 40 on up... now that I think of it there seems to have been a big shift in the ways kids were raised or the "amenities" they had starting in the early 90's that make it difficult to relate for me. Or maybe I'm just an old fuddy-duddy LOL.... :)
ReplyDeleteI just realized that yes, hubby is 7 years younger than I, and nope, can't explain that one a bit LOL other than that he's an "old soul" and has always preferred older, "less erratic" friends :)
ReplyDeleteI have always had friends of all ages because I am friends with people who interest me, and they aren't always my age. At present most of my friends are my age or older.
ReplyDeleteSue - Well, I've never seen a picture of you (shall we call you a shy little flower?)nor do I know your age, but I simply CANNOT believe that you really, truly look "a lot older" as you say. I've put some pretty awful pictures of myself on my blog so how 'bout you showing your purdy face, Missy?
ReplyDeleteErin - As I've said before, I think the under 30 crowd is a whole different breed than what has come before. Not saying that is bad, but certainly different. For the most part. (Okay, did I just alienate anyone?)
P.S. Yes, I would deem your hubby as an "old soul." Rock solid and steady.
Jen - I like what you said . . . "I am friends with people who interest me."
My hubby is almost 10 years older than me, and I have many friends that are older than me. Hubby and I have talked about this very same thing, and I think the only time it really matters, at least in a marriage, is if the younger one is widowed for a long time. I remember making a conscious decision that I would rather spend less time with, "The One" than a longer time with someone closer to my age.
ReplyDelete~~Lori
Lori - The other thing is none of us knows when our time is up. We could be 28 or 82 no matter how old your spouse is. Besides that, I think happier people live longer!!
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