I’m getting close, another 3 months. And then? Will people look at me and say, “There goes that old man…” I’m already walking all bent, but my head is still straight and it’s working just fine, sometimes I think better than ever. My appetite is great and I know just about all the time where I left my keys! My glasses are a different problem. I get a touch of indigestion now and again, and I’m thinking of giving up eating steaks.
How old do I really feel? As far as I can remember – and my memory is fine – I feel as though I’m somewhere in my upper 60’s. And how old will I be when I reach old age? I have no idea! Will I know it when I am old? I lunch occasionally with 2 friends who are both close to 90. Both are as ‘with it’ as they were at my age 10 years ago and I don’t think of them as old.
A couple of years ago age and aging were the subject of a survey carried out by the Pew Research Center; The survey found that most adults over age 50 feel at least 10 years younger than their actual age. One-third of those between 65 and 74 said they felt 10 to 19 years younger, and one-sixth of people 75 and older said they felt 20 years younger.
And when does old age begin? Most people in the survey said old age starts at age 68. Are they kidding? That seems way too young to me. Not surprisingly, most people over 65 have a different idea about old age. Now consider the answer given by people under 30. Most of them think you’re old by the time you hit 60.