The Pros and Cons of Getting Older
The pros and cons of getting older
Published on Monday 21 September 2009 15:53
Once it was said that life begins at 40. These days it can be 50 or even 60. Lionel Morris takes a look at the pros and cons of growing old and meets some people who have used it as a golden opportunity to embrace a new life.
Once it was said that life begins at 40. These days it can be 50 or even 60. Lionel Morris takes a look at the pros and cons of growing old and meets some people who have used it as a golden opportunity to embrace a new life.It's no fun growing old, but it's better than the alternative - not being allowed the chance to do so.
You get forgetful, really forgetful.
For example, you don't just forget whether you've taken your tablets – you don't remember that you have taken them.
So you take them a second time, as I did once. And overdose – with the result that I slept right through Sunday. Nobody noticed, or if they did, they didn't bother to wake me. I can't think why.
It's a long, slow, gradual process growing old, of course. It started, I think, when I had my hair cut and the barber asked if I was a pensioner. I was in my mid-50s at the time.
Unfortunately, I told the truth – and paid full price. I hoped her eyesight didn't reflect on the quality of the haircut.
Then, a few weeks later, came another blow. I passed a drop-in centre for the "elderly", with a sign in the window saying the qualifying age was 55. . . So I was now officially old.
Never mind, I had a vacation booked. A cruise, naturally. After all, that's how old people holidayed. Either that or a coach trip somewhere. Or a week in Bournemouth.
But back to our break. We took a train to King's Cross, changed for Waterloo en route to Southampton.
What has the ageing process made you think about life? What tips would you pass on to a younger generation?
Comment below, email us: news@ peterboroughtoday.co.uk or write us a letter now.
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My wife and I
Published on Monday 21 September 2009 15:53
Once it was said that life begins at 40. These days it can be 50 or even 60. Lionel Morris takes a look at the pros and cons of growing old and meets some people who have used it as a golden opportunity to embrace a new life.
Once it was said that life begins at 40. These days it can be 50 or even 60. Lionel Morris takes a look at the pros and cons of growing old and meets some people who have used it as a golden opportunity to embrace a new life.It's no fun growing old, but it's better than the alternative - not being allowed the chance to do so.
You get forgetful, really forgetful.
For example, you don't just forget whether you've taken your tablets – you don't remember that you have taken them.
So you take them a second time, as I did once. And overdose – with the result that I slept right through Sunday. Nobody noticed, or if they did, they didn't bother to wake me. I can't think why.
It's a long, slow, gradual process growing old, of course. It started, I think, when I had my hair cut and the barber asked if I was a pensioner. I was in my mid-50s at the time.
Unfortunately, I told the truth – and paid full price. I hoped her eyesight didn't reflect on the quality of the haircut.
Then, a few weeks later, came another blow. I passed a drop-in centre for the "elderly", with a sign in the window saying the qualifying age was 55. . . So I was now officially old.
Never mind, I had a vacation booked. A cruise, naturally. After all, that's how old people holidayed. Either that or a coach trip somewhere. Or a week in Bournemouth.
But back to our break. We took a train to King's Cross, changed for Waterloo en route to Southampton.
What has the ageing process made you think about life? What tips would you pass on to a younger generation?
Comment below, email us: news@ peterboroughtoday.co.uk or write us a letter now.
-------------------------------------
My wife and I