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Sunday, 24 October 2010

100 words : Growing old

I don’t mind getting old; I remember when forty seemed to be a million miles away.

I have wrinkles around my eyes. I’ve have had a lot of laughter in my life and each tiny crease is a celebration of that.

I don’t even mind the wiry grey hairs, though I confess I tweeze them out.

I know that part of getting older is accepting these. Growing old gracefully and letting it happen.

But I am vain and I tell myself that black don’t crack. And hope that that quarter of my heritage will hold back the worst of it.

46 comments:

Baglady said...

Me again. I wanted to keep this separate because the post is precisely 100 words. It's harder than you think!

Bouncin' Barb said...

Is this a challenge? Let me know. Would like to try.

I have the exact same sentiments about turning 50 soon. They aren't wrinkles, they are laugh lines. And still no grey...except in my eyebrows here and there. Love it.

Baglady said...

Hi Barb. I didn't want to be so direct but I think it's an interesting thing to try. I know I am guilty of using 10 words when 5 would be better... Any topic will do so go for it and let me know when it's up (as I'm now following about a million blogs so might not see you've done a post).

Happy Frog and I said...

I also am fine about the laughter lines, but the grey hairs get covered by dye on a regular basis. I'm quite enjoying getting older. I'm much more comfortable in my skin as I near the big 40 then I ever was in my teens or twenties.

I enjoyed this 100 word post. I must dare to put up one of mine soon. Maybe next month.

Corey said...

I liked it...that seems like it would be hard. but you did it very nice! way to go!

Jane said...

100 words - sweet and to the point - thank you.
I think how we age is down to our genes, our attitude and
lots of moisturizer.
I stopped colouring my hair last year to find it was silver so am trying for a sort of Annie Lennox look at the moment.
Past 50 now and happy in my skin at last.

Starlight said...

Nice blog, I enjoyed reading it :) But I enjoy reading all your blogs! =)

Marg Millard said...

What a great post! I am approaching 60, kind of surprised and just glad to be alive. The wirey chin/jawline hairs are annoying but the alternative isn't going to stop them growing so..hey!
I need to find a way to remember things, the wrinkles that worry me are in my brain. Where did I put that tube of paint?

john horse said...

Was surfing the web (is this phrase becoming passe) and came across your blog. Just finished updating my blog with a post about "Getting Older". Here is some good news about getting older. In a few more years you'll be eligible for the senior citizen discount at the buffet table at Kentucky Fried Chicken. Happy birthday.

Sally-ann's fashion addiction said...

I love growing old, just embrase it

Penny Dreadful said...

One of the best things about getting older is leaving parties precisely when you want to, because you don't need to seem like a party animal any more. x

Vincent GRESSI said...

I love this blog, thank you
Nice Vintage School France's Blog

julia said...

I haven't found anything good about being 40 yet. I need to come to terms with it because I have realized that there is always going to be someone younger than me (I dug deep to figure that one out).

Louba said...

Love the 100 words idea ......but not sure I can cut my gabbing enough to take up the challenge. I've learning to love my lines, they're a little monument to a life of laughter and some tears - like a mini map of my life. Grey hairs, hmm I have the hairdresser deal with that, or quickly pull them out before anyone notices.

Kristina said...

Great post...100 words seems a big number but so little....Having just turned 40....they say life begins.... Oh btw I luvvvv a cuppa too!!! ;-)

lladybugg said...

I like the 100 word challenge, although I suppose you didn't really challenge anyone. Just posted it and let the rest of us challenge ourselves.
I might try this in the next week or so, 100 words on aging...which should be interesting since I'm barely out of my teenybopper years.

The post itself, outside of the rules you gave it, it wonderful.

Jobonster said...

I found my first grey hair when I was only 21 and have been finding them for the past 21 years. They seem normal for me now so as I do hit the age where you tend to think of yourself as "growing older"... I'm not so put off by it. The Universe has been bracing me for this since I turned 21, knowing how vain I am and how poorly I'd handle it if I began discovering the greys at the ripe age of 42.

Four Dinners said...

I fucking mind!!!! What's the secret then??? How can you not mind????

Thisisme said...

Thoroughly enjoyed this blog. I'm in my early 60's and life is great. I, too, am just so glad to still be here, having lost a few friends in the past few years. Anyway, 60 is the new 40!!!

Philip said...

Very nice 100 words post. Flowed really well. I quite like my creases and bits of grey. I'm particularly fond of my grey beard bits. I hope to develop a full head of white hair in due course.

Kristen Alexis said...

that is beautifully written! getting older should be embraced more than it is these days!

Jack said...

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Jack said...

I really liked this post.

Leisa said...

I'm one of these people who thinks age is a nebulous concept. I feel younger at 43 than I did at 23. Embracing my lines, loving the inner peace that comes with getting older and not being so worried about what other people think any more.

Thanks for sharing! :)

Karen in Honolulu said...

Hmmm. You know I don't think I'd feel so bad about being 65 if I wasn't told by the TV that I shouldn't have wrinkles Or my teeth should be blinding white, or my hair shouldn't be gray as you don't deserve it. What a crock.

Gray is easy, and wrinkles don't hurt. It's just the knee thing.Having to reach for support to kneel down to take photographs is the only part of old age that I can't deal with.

So if you see an old gray haired lady flat on the ground with a camera in her hand, give her a hand. Her knees might have just given out.

leiamarie82 said...

I know, right? I don't get why people get all amped up about their age. I've got laugh lines around my mouth and eyes--I like to think of them as the map to all the fun people I've laughed with.

Karen in Honolulu said...

I just wanted to let you know that I posted a short little blog for you on bags. I took some photos of bags in my favorite shop on the country side of the island. Hope you enjoy it. It post on the 25th of this month.

chrisbrixton said...

Nice post. Though there is no reason to grow old gracefully - growing older DISgracefully is much more fun!

(I'm 41 :-) )

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Kath said...

Having turned 40 1.5 years ago - I'm not sure I could keep a post to 100 words. Well done! And congrats on the "Blogs of Note" - seems very well deserved!

SimplyStac said...

Stumbled upon your blog. Nice :) I'm embracing 40. Kind of.

Magnie said...

100 words is clever and not easy to be so concise, I like it, with all the rest. Silver hair and stubble, happy creases everywhere, no need to prove anything, two heart ops and the joy of being able to wear purple. Forty years with the same person and still able to giggle and dream of more nonsense together. Grow old and enjoy the journey, sing with your grandchildren, dance with your dog and take what comes, as you might well enjoy it and so can do it again tomorrow. Thanks for your blog once again, it's a joyful daily visit now.

aly3008 said...

201 days until I hit 40 (and who's counting?!)so, yes, the wrinkles are there and the grey hair (until I spend another fiver on a box of magic dye!) but there's also a kind of freedom that springs from no longer being quite so concerned about what other people think of how I look. I'm also finding that I'm much more likely to say what I think these days which is interesting. Great blog, by the way. Really enjoying it.

otherworldlyone said...

Did you enjoy writing the 100 words? I know it was harder for me than I thought it would be.

I liked it and the "black don't crack" thing is still funny. :)

Crescent Seward said...

I was thinking about my wrinkles lately too. Lines on your face tell a story and I take pride in the ones around my mouth that means I've been laughing plenty.

lunarismoon.blogspot.com

That's Not My Age said...

I try to embrace the ageing process by celebrating fabulous over forties on my blog - the natural rather than the Botoxed variety - and I don't mind my wrinkles and grey hair. But some days I feel tired, impatient and every one of my forty-odd years. I don't think reading William Leith's 'Bits of me are falling apart' is helping matters!

PS congrats on becoming a Blog of Note

Jules said...

In my head, I am still a kid... I remember a time when I recall no boundaries imposed by my body. One day, at around aged 50, I thought, hummmm, not so bad. I took inventory, no aches, no pains, skin okay, a little heavier but still shapely. The next day I woke with a crick in my neck that still hurts two year later. I've some how gained a painful ankle, after a trip in a gopher hole. So don't count your blessings, just be prepared check in with the kid in your head. She is still raring to go!

wisewoman60 said...

Ha! I have just blogged on becoming 60. I am doing well, just upset because the day will not be as momentous as I would like it to be. Reading all these comments on turning 40 has helped me to cope today... the birthday for me will be November 9.

Dragan Fly said...

100 words. Interesting concept and will have to give thought to it. Also, careful not to tweezer them all out, else there will likely be a new problem ;o)

Cheers

Creative Cravings said...

cleverly concise. reading this entry and the reems of comments that follow makes me feel unusually optimistic about growing up (albeit i'm only 17) as I find myself surrounded with family members agonising over the age. I love the way you embrace it. It reminds me of the way in which my mum embraces the blemishs, not on her skin but on our dining table. Each blob of paint and scratch signifies a memorable occasion, be it making costumes for the local village fete or simply painting pictures of one another.

Alma Mía said...

Amen, sister friend! I too am thirty-something & found your post quite easy to relate to. Living in a college town where the thirty-somethings are seemingly invisible, finding this post was consoling. Thank you!

The Diva Principle said...

I love this post. It is defintely a challenge for me because I tend to go overboard on my words! I must/will try harder!!

I'm 46, Although I don't look my age, I'm struggling growing older but I tell myself the same. Every line under my eyes are only creases from laughter and joy. It's very challenging and this post truly uplifted my spirits!

iNdi@na said...

black don't crack...and neither does honey coloured!
and hey when the hair goes grey/white, i'll be dyeing mine blue with pansies...

Afrodeezha said...

Interesting...I must try this next month. I jumped into 40 with both feet and for the most part, have enjoyed these past two years immensely.

RoughSkins said...

wow it's really 100 words, how long you take time to write this post? :D

Feminina said...

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