What makes me feel old

Denise Oppenhagen
Published: July 5, 2008

Every once in a while, something happens that makes me feel really old. Most of the time it happens when I deal with the younger generation. 

A few months ago, I went to see Bruce Springsteen in concert.  The first time I saw The Boss, I was in college. He rocked — hours worth. This time, the concert was shorter, The Boss was grayer, and
the audience was younger. 

Then, wearing my concert t-shirt around, I had a young checker at the grocery store ask me who Springsteen was. Yikes. 

Why do I mention this, and on this week-end? Because a decade and a half ago, I brought forth into this world, my son. Fifteen years. As he grew up, I would think about the future when he would learn to
drive, or get a job, or go to college. 

There was a time when that was a long time away. But not anymore. He’s going to be a sophomore in high school!! He’s going to take driver’s education this year.  And he’s begging for a job. I had been
able to put off the job discussion by taking the parental position, “school is your job,” but between his grandmother this past week and his great-aunt, I am grudgingly going to allow him to look for a job.
Fifteen!! He’ll be looking at colleges in another year or two. 

It’s not only kids who make you feel old — other relatives can make you feel old, too. I spent last week with my Mom. 

Every year, she and her sisters get together for a week to stay in touch. This year, I joined them for one day and then spent the rest of the week with my Mom. My aunts are getting old. I remember
spending the summer babysitting for one aunt’s children — and they are all now married with their own children. Three of the four are retired. They are more set in their opinions than they’ve ever been. 

One aunt is a tree-hugger now living on a farm in New Mexico; one has become very conservative.  Neither can follow the “no discussion of politics or religion” understanding. 

My favorite aunt, who has always been very opinionated, has mellowed out. She’s also quite nosy and manages to find out things you don’t know. Like when I made a comment about my son not being
interested in girls yet and — well, let’s just say that the mom is apparently the last to know.

My Mom moves a lot slower and with a lot more effort than I remember. She doesn’t want to go as many places anymore. She was as comfortable — even more comfortable — staying at home reading
and napping than going anywhere. She is very forgetful. And she didn’t nag about my housekeeping.

And, while I’m thinking about it — there’s my niece and nephew.  They were born while I was still in high school. Their being in high school and college didn’t faze me much. But getting married and
having babies — now that makes me feel old.

All these things that make me feel really old (did I mention my birthday is this week?) — is there anything that makes me feel young? 

A lot, actually. I like being in school; I get to take classes during the summer. I get to read fun books, garden, walk the dog, play with the cat. My son and I go for walks. 

I catch up on my correspondence — the old-fashioned pen, paper, stamps, stationery kind of correspondence, not the e-mail or IM kind of correspondence. In other words, I get to slow down, relax, and
smell the roses. That’s all I need to rejuvenate and feel young again. 

That’s all any of us need — get away from whatever demands our time and attention on a daily basis and do something that is relaxing. 

Enjoy the long weekend. Take in some fireworks, have a barbeque, relax with friends and family. Feel young again. You deserve it.

Denise Oppenhagen is a longtime resident of Prince William County and can be reached at .