What is good about getting old?

1. 74

   earnestshubposted 15 years ago

   OK, I know I am a bit crook this week with the flue, but as I am no longer young, it is kicking the crap out of me!
   So I thought why not ask others if they have an opinion or something funny to say about aging.
   I hate that my athletic body is starting to sag, I hate that I start to crap myself over about 250 kph on a fast motorcycle having ridden and raced bikes my whole life, I hate that learning seem to take me longer, and that bits of my mind are trying to "simplify" everything by having a fixed belief in it, I hate losing my eyesight and hearing, getting cancer, WHAT IS GOOD ABOUT IT????
   THAT'S BETTER I CAN READ CAPS!

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      drej2522posted 15 years agoin reply to this

      wisdom!

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      Ghost32posted 15 years agoin reply to this

      You have cancer, Earnest?  If I got that right, I'm sorry to hear it.
      
      Since I'm no spring chicken myself (66 next week), guess I should actually try to answer the question.  Ummmm....okay, then, not in any particular order:
      
      1.  Senior discounts at restaurants.
      
      2.  I wouldn't exchange it for being a kid again for (as they say) all the rice in China.
      
      3.  Not getting called "kid" by forty-somethings who think you're too young to have any signficance.
      
      4.  Since I see Death as a graduation, then I'm getting closer to graduation.
      
      5.  Others' expectations of me plummet, so anything I accomplish is a wondrous surprise to 'em all.
      
      6.  Having worked through the 6 divorces and having finally found a lady (#7) I actually appreciate living with (13 years now and still hooked at the hip).
      
      7.  Having long since gotten rid of the teeth that were literally killing me.  Best single thing I ever did for my health, except maybe giving up alcohol.
      
      8.  Having  learned to take each day as it comes...more or less. (Must admit to that still being a work in progress.)
      
      9.  Being told how wise and wonderful I am even when the speaker's sincerity may well be in question.
      
      10.  Getting away with sleeping in somewhat in the morning and working (most days) 6 to 8 hour days instead of 10 to 12 hour days without being considered a lazy, no good bum.

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      Mark Knowlesposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      I am with you. Look at it this way - it is better than the alternative.
      
      "The older I get, the better I was."

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      apricotposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      That Pixar might base the protaganist of their next animation on you ('Up' just came out in Italy last week and it had more of an impression on me than any other animation I've seen)
      
      You are a fine wine - keep telling yourself.

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      2uesdayposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      Although I do n't like the idea of getting older... I find it more attractive than the alternative; well that is what I tell myself when another birthday arrives.
      
      Eventually I hope to live my own version of the poem -
      "When I grow old I am going to wear purple." 
      because I've spent too much time caring about what people think. I intend to be rebellious when I become an OAP because I missed out on that stage as a teenager.

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   6. 59

      yoshi97posted 15 years agoin reply to this

      Old age is best defined as 'that time in life by which you have forgotten more than you have left to learn ...'

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      mtsi1098posted 15 years agoin reply to this

      the good thing is that you have lived long enough to get old

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      Lily Roseposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      What's good about getting old?  The fact that you CAN is a privelage!

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2. 47

   Jackson Riddleposted 15 years ago

   That I am still young

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   1. 74

      earnestshubposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      Enjoy!

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3. 60

   QuirkyPearlposted 15 years ago

   Age-ing.........
   
   Not for the faint hearted!

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   Brenda Durhamposted 15 years ago

   That I've been allowed to live even this long!
   ...Long enough to gain some wisdom.
   Long enough to not be easily swayed by physical temptations.
   Long enough to have grandchildren I love.
   
   It's even kinda good to not worry as much about how I look, 'cause there's nothing I can do about a saggy body and cellulite and all that.   Now I can relate to others as they age, instead of being in a state of youthful embarrassment at the thought of old people or crippled people, etc.    It makes one realistic and compassionate instead of prideful and haughty.

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   1. 74

      earnestshubposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      I would rather learn without the body falling off to be honest! I am with you on the grandchildren. How could I know that I could love them so much??

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5. 60

   QuirkyPearlposted 15 years ago

   every morning when you wake up, you have a choice, you can spend the day in bed recounting the difficulty you have with the parts of your body that no longer work, or get out of bed and be thankful for the ones that do."
   
   
   "Each day is a gift, and as long as my eyes open I'll focus on the new day and all the happy memories I've stored away just for this time in my life."
   
   Old age is like a bank account -- you withdraw from what you've put in.

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   sooner than laterposted 15 years ago

   Oh boy, I feel you on this one.
   
   I used to lift like an ox. the thing I notice most is my back and neck pain. Even though I suppose my lifting was propper, I am still paying for some reason.
   
   Do you roadbike? I used to race in AZ for many years. I don't wanna get all soft and squishy with you, but you just gained a point.

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      earnestshubposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      NZ? I had to get my mechanic and a shop manager from New Zealand as I could not find one here as good to handle our race bikes and the workshop management! I got the impression in my career as a shop owner and keen rider that New Zealand had a fair lead on Australia in many ways when it came to my industry. NZ OK by me.

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   2. 74

      earnestshubposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      Hey sooner what is an AZ? I owned motorcyle shops, I rode for Yamaha for a while, but not road racing so much. I did a lot of trials moto-cross and enduro.
      My shop raced a TZ 750 and a kneeler for about 15 years.
      Our rider had more broken bones than I thought were in the human body!

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7. 61

   tantrumposted 15 years ago

   1-You're put on a wheel chair, and  then you get on the plane first.
   
   2-You don't have to wake up early to go to work.
   
   3-After commiting some mistake
   You can say :
   I can't see properly
   I can't hear properly
   I can't remember
   
   And everybody will believe you
   
   And a lot of other advantages
   
   Enjoy your 'oldness' !
   
   

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   1. 74

      earnestshubposted 15 years agoin reply to this

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         tantrumposted 15 years agoin reply to this

          

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8. 0

   ralwusposted 15 years ago

   There is no sadder sight than a young pessimist... except an old optimist.

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   1. 74

      earnestshubposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      If that parrot is what I think it is, let it have a say!

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      Paradise7posted 15 years agoin reply to this

      Aw, Ralwus, I'm afraid I qualify for the old optimist gig.  Don't be sad.  It's okay to hang onto your illusions of the lovelyhood of the world in general well past the AARP deadline!

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9. 0

   ralwusposted 15 years ago

   If you live to be one hundred, you've got it made. Very few people die past that age. from Jado my parrot Solomon island eclectus

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   1. 74

      earnestshubposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      Tell Jado that Eric the Big E as he knows himself says *jhjged* I dunno about Eric sometimes, he is only 11 yo though.

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10. 86

    rebekahELLEposted 15 years ago

    o.k. earnest, you mean getting older...
    
    certainly the meaning of life itself, each day is a gift.

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       earnestshubposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       Absolutely! Keep em coming. But why is my body so bloody keen to get on with the dyin bit of it???

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          rebekahELLEposted 15 years agoin reply to this

          oh, no worries, it just feels like that now cuz you're not feeling your best. get out and walk, the simplest pleasures.

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          1. 74

             earnestshubposted 15 years agoin reply to this

             I went for a ride, lucky I got a puncture I near killed myself trying to shake this off going too hard. I think the walk sounds better. Thanks

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11. 68

    wyanjenposted 15 years ago

    H E L L O   E A R N E S T
    
    When you are old, you are wise.
    
    When you are young, you are merely a wise-ass.

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    1. 74

       earnestshubposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       Very wise, I even remember myself as a smart-ass at a certain age! What a dope, but I want that body, not this shoddy old thing!

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          cosetteposted 15 years agoin reply to this

          shoddy?
          
          oh boy...not even.
          
          if that is what old looks like, sign me up!

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       Home Girlposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       Nothing is good about an old age. Nothing,nothing,nothing...

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12. 61

    R P Chapmanposted 15 years ago

    "ah, but I was so much older then, I'm younger than that now."
    
    - Bob Dylan, years ago.

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       QuirkyPearlposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       Good Quote!

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13. 70

    dyonderposted 15 years ago

    What's good about getting old?
    
    Not having to use a hairbrush anymore.
    
    I think it was Terry Pratchett who said 'in every old man is a kid wondering what the hell happened'

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    1. 68

       wyanjenposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       

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       earnestshubposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       "What the hell is happening"

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14. 77

    rmcrayneposted 15 years ago

    I try never to use "the O word".  To my patients I preface a number of things with, "The less and less young we get..."  One of my tidbits is "The less and less young we get, the less we can abuse our body and our brain in our usual manner and still get away with it.” 
    
    That said, occasionally I will agree with a patient lamenting about getting older and falling apart by saying, “It ain’t for sissies is it?”

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15. 0

    ralwusposted 15 years ago

    Jado said, "AwShiit!" He says that often.

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    1. 74

       earnestshubposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       Well it seems Jado has a pretty good handle on it then!

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16. 85

    manlypoetrymanposted 15 years ago

    Getting ol sucks! Plus...I used to be able to say I had a young heart...but now...?

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17. 68

    wyanjenposted 15 years ago

    Where I am, people don't say Old Guy.
    They say:
    Veteran Young Guy.

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18. 87

    Marisa Wrightposted 15 years ago

    Just remember, as Michael Caine once said, that getting old isn't so bad when you consider the alternative.

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19. 61

    Black Lillyposted 15 years ago

    I guess it all depends on how you define "old". Is it how you feel physically or your emotional state?
    
    I turned 30 recently. I know it's definitely not the age, I don't feel physical symptoms of ageing yet.
    But there is another thing: somehow I managed to get myself happy now. Somehow, like waking up from a long sleep. Suddenly (literally, 2-3 months difference) people started thinking I look 25 - earlier it was 30.
    Emotionally 10 years nearly vanished somewhere and suddenly it's student years again.. I've been even catching myself thinking - ok, what will I do in 10 years, when I get 30? Unbelievable, just the effect of attitude towards life.
    
    Young at heart - keep it. Enjoy what you do, have fun and forget what you can't do. You're wiser now, aren't you? Enjoy what you can do.

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20. 70

    Beth100posted 15 years ago

    Having lived each day up until the moment.
    Holding  your grandchild (okay, I'm not THAT old...though he's two) lol
    Spoiling your grandchild and not worrying about the effects of it. 
    
    Hope you'll be feeling better this morning,  Earnest. ((hugs))

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    1. 74

       earnestshubposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       I feel good no matter what the body is up to! A trick I learnt earlier.
       Thank you, I do feel a little worse today, but it will pass.

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          Beth100posted 15 years agoin reply to this

          Answer ur email:  I'm sending you Rice krispie squares (with or without chocolate?), freshly brewed green tea and a little special package of "feel good hugs". 

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21. 59

    Sexy jontyposted 15 years ago

    experiences .....

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22. 88

    G.L.A.posted 15 years ago

    You're right! It sucks!! As my Mom used to say.. "what the he__'s  so golden about it?!"

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23. 38

    chenmikehkposted 15 years ago

    When you are old, means you have gone through the traumas of youth sucessfully and survived it. Congratulations!

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    Jo Woodwardposted 15 years ago

    Growing old is inevitable.  Growing up is optional.

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    Pearldiverposted 15 years ago

    There's nothing wrong with getting old that can't be improved by turning back the clock

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    1. 74

       earnestshubposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       I am mostly worried about trousers. if I get male boobs will they fall down to my trouser belt? If I make that the water mark I may be able to avoid my trousers coming up to my armpits!

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          Pearldiverposted 15 years agoin reply to this

          C'mon Earnest..... It's a common thing; keeping your trousers up and it's amazing how high some 'old' blokes armpits can get
          That's what rubber bands are for!
          Loop one through the beltloop on either side, bring one end of the band though the other, pull tight and then loop that end over your ear.
          
          And from the distance; those people who you think are pointing and laughing at you? They are really just happy to see you wearing shorts!

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             earnestshubposted 15 years agoin reply to this

             I thought they were laughing at the arm holes I cut where the trouser pockets used to be!

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                Pearldiverposted 15 years agoin reply to this

                OMG you poor old bugger!!! Are times that hard atm?   I will order you some of those plastic pants; you know they come in a pack of 12 and are disposible

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          Jeramiposted 15 years agoin reply to this

              good idea??   loosten your sustinders

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26. 60

    shanekrugerposted 15 years ago

    Iam Young! Ask From Old Peoples

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27. 78

    Bard of Elyposted 15 years ago

    Nothing that I know of!

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    prettydarkhorseposted 15 years ago

    you get to see the fruits of your labor throughout the years
    
    you become wiser

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    Brian Leightonposted 15 years ago

    Wisdom is based on hindsight...
    
    It is probably the one good thing I have as I get older that I know can only improve, unless I am unlucky enough to suffer memory loss as I age !

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    tantrumposted 15 years ago

    As you get older three things happen. The first is your memory goes, and then you  can't remember the other two...  which is great !
    
    Also, everything reminds you of something else.
    
    And when almost all the names in your directory, have M. D. after them.
    
    And remember :
    
    You don't get old on purpose, it just happens. If you're lucky, it could happen to you.
    
    
    
    Hi Earnest !

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    Paradise7posted 15 years ago

    Earnest Hub and Pearldiver I am cracking up big time here, you guys are hilarious!  The trousers thing, the armpits, the disposable underwear!  I'm dying..lol...lol !

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32. 81

    aka-djposted 15 years ago

    You get to carry a seniors card.
    And even get discounts of 10% or more. WOW
    I can hardly wait.

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33. 82

    Zsuzsy Beeposted 15 years ago

    Your not getting old, your just getting better
    
    
    (better seasoned that is)

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    Jeramiposted 15 years ago

    Any mornin that you can still get out of bed and nobody is hittin ya on the head   ..  You don't have to wonder if it is going to be a good day ..  You already see that it is.   
    Ya then hope that it will turn into a great day.

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35. 59

    Jeramiposted 15 years ago

    A good thing to say about getting old ? 
        It beats the alternative

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36. 59

    Jeramiposted 15 years ago

    You can honestly say that ...
      It doesn't getting any better than this !

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    BrandRevitalizeposted 15 years ago

    What is good about getting old? I must say it has to be the gradual feeling of genuine contentment.

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38. 57

    andromidaposted 15 years ago

    You will have a more stable mind-certainly it helps anyone think deeply.

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    JulietduPreezposted 15 years ago

    Probably getting less and less stressed about things...Realizing what does matter.

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    getitriteposted 15 years ago

    A good thing about getting old is being able to control your raging hormones.   

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    chronageposted 15 years ago

    i think that everyone feels like or will feel like you do now at some point in their life. The scariest thing is how quick your life goes,

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    wychicposted 15 years ago

    I am still far from old, but have been wondering the same thing lately. My other half just rounded 50, and listening every morning to the litany of snaps, crackles and pops from his knees and everything else that suffered from 30 years of football, hockey, boxing, and never knowing when to quit has raised the question. Before too long the docs he works with are likely going to kidnap him, heavily anesthetize him, and saw both knees off in favor of their fake counterparts. When he came to live with me, he was informed that what he had on his head and face was far from "a little bit of grey" and is slowly realizing just how hard he has to work to keep up with me.
    
    His take on it? There's really nothing good about being "a little bit old" like he is, but when he's "old for real" in about another 30 years there are a couple of pluses. He has determined that he will be old enough to be able to get away with pretending he has Alzheimer's and raging Tourette's, ride a moped around town naked until the cops call to ask me to bring him home, brag that Viagara is STILL working, and not get thrown out of businesses for singing Bob Seger hits at the top of his lungs while wearing his boxers on his head.

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43. 0

    Lady_Eposted 15 years ago

    You get free Transport on all buses in the UK.

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44. 61

    archdawposted 15 years ago

    I love the memories. Some good and others not so good, but it's what makes us so unique.

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    jayjay40posted 15 years ago

    There is nothing good about getting old, but the alternative is even worse

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    shamelabboushposted 15 years ago

    Getting old means getting wiser, prettier, sophisticated, calmer... I think there lots of good traits..

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       Jeramiposted 15 years agoin reply to this

          That is very true when I take my Glasses off.

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    Niteriterposted 15 years ago

    Where'd Earnest go? I hope he's still old...

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48. 0

    Stevennix2001posted 15 years ago

    i wish i could think of something classy or inspirational to get you excited about getting old.  i could mention retirement, but then again social security may not be around long with the way our economy is going.  plus, i really don't know if you've been saving up in your 401k or iras and such.  however, i will quote a line from braveheart if you'd like.
    
    "EVERY MAN DIES, BUT NOT EVERY MAN TRULY LIVES."
    
    I put that saying in all caps since i read that you can read that better old chum.  i hope it helps.

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    lrohnerposted 15 years ago

    The best thing about getting old? Grandchildren.

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       earnestshubposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       I agree, why do I have to be old to have them though?
       Oh yeah!
       Sorry an Aged moment.

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          lrohnerposted 15 years agoin reply to this

          Actually Earnest, you don't HAVE to be old. My ex-hubby's mother was a grandmother at 32 years old. Yup. She had her firstborn, a daughter, at 16. And then her daughter had her firstborn at 16. I'm not sure which is worse -- being "old" as a grandparent, or being a grandparent when you're young!

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             Jeramiposted 15 years agoin reply to this

                OH... OH.... OH...  ME >>ME  >>> I  WAS A Grand father at 3?
             But I've grown wiser since then!!!!!!!!     
                  That is something to be thankful for  when we get older.!!!!!!!!!   
                  We will never be as stupid as we used to be.

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    Scott.Lifeposted 15 years ago

    The best thing about growing older, asking young kids what are you complaining about? When I was young we walked to school naked in the snow uphill both ways and we were grateful.
    
    Toys? what toys I had a stick and three rocks....and I was grateful.
    
    Suspended from school? We didn't get suspended we got our butts beat by the principal then again at home and we were grateful.
    
    Finally the best thing about getting older, finding new and creative places to grow hair that i was previously unaware of.
    
    

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       Jeramiposted 15 years agoin reply to this

          I remember me and Then Bill Causby saying that a while back

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