Mrs M
yoda76IT’S THE LITTLE THINGS THAT LET YOU KNOW YOU ARE GETTING OLDER
May 24th 2007 03:47
Some might say that it’s those monumental moments that let you know you’ve attained a new level of stature – getting a driver’s licence, getting married, becoming a parent – but not for me. I beg to differ. It’s those unassuming moments that really catch you out. I remember signing my first school permission slip and packing the first school lunch to drive home the fact that my status in the world had changed.
I had another one of those moments on the weekend.
Mr M’s 20 year old niece was getting married. The wedding was lovely, just like so many of the other weddings I have been to, but this one was a little different.
Seating arrangements at weddings are always a good indicator about my level of stature within the family. I remember with glee the first time I was old enough to sit away from my parents with all the other kids. We were sitting at the back of the reception room, but I didn’t care. I was away from my parents. Then I grew a little older and sat a little closer. Even when I was first married I was still sitting somewhere in the middle of the room while my parents were up front – where all the important people sit.
On the weekend I walked around the room trying to find my seat and there it was…on Table No. 1. I was right up there with the parents. I have finally grown up.
But not only that, my 6 and 4 year old children were sitting at their own table…right at the back of the room. How the tables have turned.
I had another one of those moments on the weekend.
Mr M’s 20 year old niece was getting married. The wedding was lovely, just like so many of the other weddings I have been to, but this one was a little different.
Seating arrangements at weddings are always a good indicator about my level of stature within the family. I remember with glee the first time I was old enough to sit away from my parents with all the other kids. We were sitting at the back of the reception room, but I didn’t care. I was away from my parents. Then I grew a little older and sat a little closer. Even when I was first married I was still sitting somewhere in the middle of the room while my parents were up front – where all the important people sit.
On the weekend I walked around the room trying to find my seat and there it was…on Table No. 1. I was right up there with the parents. I have finally grown up.
But not only that, my 6 and 4 year old children were sitting at their own table…right at the back of the room. How the tables have turned.
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Comment by Damo
That is the first sign.
Anyway I'm not getting older.
The world is getting younger.
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
The world is getting younger.
You hang onto that logic Damo
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Comment by Kleonaptra
Kalikapsychosis
For someone who was always 'older than their years' I find now Ive spent my whole life older than I should have been.....
When I still had the job at the fruit shop one of my customers commented on our 'lovely music' I agreed, saying, "Yeah, I really like the old stations. Dont get into that new music so much - I just dont understand it"
Customer gave me a wry look.....While I hastily tuned all my radios back to 2dayfm.
Another key indicator?
When you get together with the people who you only ever used to talk to about Nirvana, where we are going on Fri night and whos hot and not....
And find yourself getting just as blotto as you used to....But youre talking about?
Petrol prices. Grocery bills. Politics. Current media. How going out is so much hassle.
WHY?
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
I'm a fan of WS-FM...have been for years. So I hear ya sister when it comes to music
And I hear ya about your topics of conversation. My best friend and I would always say that we would NEVER talk about laundry detergent....how boring.....but years on....it just couldn't be helped.
You're not old Kleonaptra...the rest of the world is just lagging behind
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Comment by Jonathon
Anthroblogogy
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
I remember when I was 17 at a wedding (sitting away from my parents) and drinking copious amounts of red wine, thinking I was being a rebel...and my parent's didn't care..I can't tell you how much that spoilt my fun.
Thanks for the visit.
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Comment by Wendi
I knew I was getting older the first time my eldest son said, "What's a record?"
The time my second son said, "That is NOT Michael Jackson!" when he saw a marathon of Jackson's earlier works...
Or the time my daughter said, "Who is Madonna?"
*eye roll*
Comment by Miswanderlust
Killer Beats
Ramble On
Hipnotherapy
I am responding to this post with my newly aquired reading glasses...yuck.... remembering how the "young" man at the counter at lunch today called me ma'am and wanting to stab him with his "My Name is Ryan... Welcome to Burger Box" ID badge....
Mis
Comment by Miswanderlust
Killer Beats
Ramble On
Hipnotherapy
I am responding to this post with my newly aquired reading glasses...yuck.... remembering how the "young" man at the counter at lunch today called me ma'am and wanting to stab him with his "My Name is Ryan... Welcome to Burger Box" ID badge....
Mis
Comment by Miswanderlust
Killer Beats
Ramble On
Hipnotherapy
I also had a colleague talk to me about "his generation" (30 somethings) .... how old do you think I am pal?
Mis
Comment by David
I love how you finished this off:
One of the things that makes me realise my age is when a football commentator calls a player in his mid-30s a 'veteran'. What does that make me? An ancient?
Chaste embraces, and none of that other stuff ...
David ...
Comment by Kleonaptra
Kalikapsychosis
Comment by Lilla
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
Don't worry, pretty soon you won’t worry about getting older.
How do I know?
Well, I'm hormonal at the moment - you know menopausal...up and down like a see-saw. It’s an intriguing thing because although you know you’re getting older, you feel younger, stronger, powerful - much like my teenage daughter…I'm certainly giving her a run for her money anyway *chuckle* it's kind of fun, actually…
I’m glad I had my kids late now.… it’s like all the flushes, crushes and phases of puberty, but with (Dusk's) 'wisdumb' of experience to help you through it…*just cracking up at myself here* needless to say, my teenager and I have a lot in common and I can help her through it better I think... of course, I cannot be sure *whoop*…
As for stature within the family, forgive me, but my only indicator is that I used to be second tallest, now I’m second shortest, soon to be the shortest.*lol*
/seriously/ I love the way you notice these nuances and changes in your world… it shows a depth of character that I seek out, admire and relate to.. you should try some poetry sometimes on those feelings you have
Hoping you don’t make it to the front row at the funeral too soon..
Lilla …
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
I remember I asked my nephew if he had seen Star Wars and he asked 'what's that?' All you can do is laugh Wendi.
Hi Mis,
You make me laugh Mis.
Hi David,
Hi Kleonaptra,
Hi Lilla,
You know I've never had the confidence to write poetry. I tried at school with dismal results. Mr M is very good at poetry...it just seems to flow for him.
I also have to say that I'm petrified of menopause. I don't remember my mother going through it which could be a good sign...or just that I was oblivious to it all because I was a teenager at the time.
I too think I'll be the shortest one day. Mr M is a good foot taller than me so I suspect my children will end up somewhere between me and him. Height is another definite indicator. I remember when my dad looked huge to me, now he and I stand eye to eye and I find I win more arguments these days.
But I truly believe it's the little things in life that grab you, simply because they're unexpected moments and that gives them huge impact.
Thanks for the visit and your kinds words.
Thanks everyone.
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Comment by Jeanne Dininni
Writer's Notes
How very true it is that the little things--like sack lunches--can be understated but emphatic indicators of our current stage of life!
When we were little, our parents made our school lunches. Then, we grew up and prepared school lunches for our own children. And today, for me at least, one small but very poignant reminder of just how quickly the years pass is the fact that I now often find myself packing a lunch for my 18-year-old--my youngest--to help him get to work on time!
But, as you say, there is the other side of the coin, as well: the fact that, as we "mature," our stature, or status, in many ways, grows. And that's the part we like best of all!
Regards,
Jeanne
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
Mum's just don't stop do they...that part never changes...even if everything else does.
Thanks for the visit and the comments Jeanne. Very much appreciated.
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Im in exactly the same situation, it blows my mind every time I meet someone who wasnt old enough to see the original Star Wars trilogy first time round....makes me feel ancient.
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
Love & stuff
Mrs M