When did I get “old?”
Over the past few years I’ve noticed I move a little slower, my joints creak more and so on. But that’s not quite what I am talking about.
Last weekend, I attended the Pennsylvania News Media Association press awards. To take a moment to brag, I picked up two first-place awards myself. My husband accompanied me to the awards dinner. We were seated with some folks from a York newspaper. As we chatted, I noticed they were teasing one man a lot for his “advanced age.” He just turned 30.
Ugh.
I started taking a look around the room. There were quite a few veteran journalists present — those over 50 years of age and those who had been in the business for quite some time. And then there were the younger set — most of whom looked to be below 30.
There weren’t a lot of people in the middle — 30 to 50 years old, where I fall. I’m left to wonder why.
Is it because of the steadily shrinking newspaper business? Is it that people my age tend not to stay at one job for long? I don’t know the answer, but I am curious.
As I thought about it, I had an epiphany. I am middle aged. I even Googled it — after I put on my “cheater” glasses so I could see the small print. Middle age is defined as above 35 and below 50. I guess I’m a slow learner that I’ve been in it for nearly a decade and didn’t know it.
Age is a funny thing. When you are under 10, it isn’t really a consideration. I don’t remember thinking much about age, other than being excited for birthdays. Once I hit 10, it was a rush to be a teen. Then when I was a teen, it was that magical number of 16 — a driver’s license! And then it was a rush to be 18 — out of high school, legally an adult. And then, oh the anticipation of turning 21!
After that, I realized age wasn’t really as important as I’d always thought. Being an adult had a whole load of responsibilities I had never considered — taxes, bills, home ownership, insurance. The list goes on and on.
Age has been on my mind a lot lately — since March really, when I had another birthday, and when we brought on a part-time reporter who was born after I graduated high school.
When I make an Archie Bunker reference, my co-workers only laugh if they’ve seen it on Nick at Nite. Sigh.
I have to ask the “kids” in the room when I come across a reference to “Snapchat” or “dabbing” or just about any singer since 1990.
So I’ll sit at my desk with my heating pad for my back, and my fan for my hot flashes, and my four calendars to keep track of things I can’t seem to remember any more, and ponder the changes that come in life with aging.
This month, Bradford Ecumenical Home Inc. and Northwest Bank are sponsoring an As I Age wall at the bank’s West Washington Street location. People can write on the wall to share the wisdom that comes to them as they age.
It’s Older Americans Month. Google it. You just might be one and not even know it.
Schellhammer is the Era’s Associate Editor. She can be reached at marcie@bradfordera.com
