Among Friends

[house_cat]

I think for me it's the realization that I'm still the same person I was when i was 12, for good or bad - same likes and dislikes, same fears and insecurities.

Also, I thought if we had our kids when we were young, by now we'd be independent, enjoying our grown kids and grandkids.  That wasn't in the cards for us.  I guess it's time to reevaluate those expectations.

Did anything about aging catch you by surprise?

[software]

I'm not the same person I was when I was young, thank the good Lord!   I've certainly  matured.   It wasn't easy, there were many bumps in the road but I survived & learned from them.

I always admired the wisdom of adults.  I never thought I would have it but I do and I love it.   I love feeling confident in my opinions.    I don't need confirmation for who I am or what I do.   I am very content in who I am.     That has been a gift!     So glad I lived long enough to enjoy it.

[qualitygal]

The mind is willing, and the body is slower to respond. Like the brain is the locomotive engine and the body is the caboose!! LOL

[dex]

I have more confidence but other than that I too believe I am still that twenty year old inside.When I pass a mirror in a store I am always shocked by the old lady I see.

[2blonde]

I definitely am not the same insecure person I was when I was young.  I'm much more comfortable with myself now.....I can handle most situations with a lot less stress, and I value my friendships a lot more than I did during my partying days.

Yes, I'm still a kid at heart in many ways, but a much more educated and wiser one.  I think the one thing that really surprises me about getting older is how quickly it happened!  How in the heck did I get to be 68!

[Winkk]

I have to agree with @software.  I am not the person I was at 12 and very thankful for that.  I now feel like the mature person in the room and voice my opinion without hesitation.

Physcially, this arthritis I have caught me off guard.  My parents never had it and it surprised me.  Everyday something hurts.  But, I do my best to work around it.

[Winkk]

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@dex wrote:

I have more confidence but other than that I too believe I am still that twenty year old inside.When I pass a mirror in a store I am always shocked by the old lady I see.

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  @dex - this happens to me too.  I'll quickly catch a glance of myself and I see my mother.  Which is not a bad thing.

[pattypeep]

The aches and pains and joints giving out. Being so active and such a tom boy my whole life, it's really bumming me out that I can't do everything. My youngest son and I went out to dinner last night and I told him that I can still remember everything, it just takes me a little longer. LOL

[Kardi]

I think I was much more certain of some things when I was young.  Now I realize many of those things aren't so clear to me.  I also now realize most of the things that go on in the world are totally out of my control.  I can only control how I react to them.  

[RinaRina]

Well, I'm having a bad day today and, I've been thinking about this very subject for a while.

Surprise #1- I've been thru three bear markets and don't have as much money as I had 20 years ago.  Surprise!!! Being afraid of outliving your money is a scary thing.

Surprise #2- Due to #1, I've been looking for PT work.  My surprise?  Employers don't like hiring "old people".

Surprise #3- Aches & pains.  Surgeries!  I never thought I'd see the day when I'd want to have a knee replacement.

Surprise #4- Jowls. No matter what I've done, I still have jowls.  Fortunately, the NuFace mini helps.  

Surprise #5- The amount of cosmetic surgery I've needed to keep my looks.  

Surprise #6- I've outlived 90% of my friends.