Acting One’s Age

A short interlude from the alternative endings...and yes there is at least one more in me yet so don't stop reading yet.

Acting Ones Age: this is an interesting topic and recently brought to the forefront of my thoughts by a conversation with my own daughter. Let’s get to the point: How many times have you heard or even said to someone to “act their age?” Probably quite a few I bet but most times it is meant in a joking manner. Now of course if there is a maturity issue here…such as a grownup acting as a child—or the act is irresponsible in some way—that is a whole other story which I do not want to get into. But for now, let’s just assume that the crowd is all grownups and acting, relatively speaking, as adults.

So what does this mean then? Are we all supposed to act or feel a certain way about things because of our age? Now granted, age reflects a certain statistical reference as to perhaps having experienced more by the default of time, but in my opinion that’s just a lot of bull-hockey. Time is just that—a statistical measurement. Don’t believe me—ask a tortoise and see what kind of answer you get. Because we are older or younger, does that mean that things we experience and our reactions to them are not still good and bad? Of course they are. Nothing really changes in that regard. The old laugh and the young cry and vice versa, there is no difference.

So should one act one’s age then? Well lets break out the age manual and look up our age and see what…oh wait a minute…there isn’t a manual is there? So how does one know how they should act then if they aren’t given instructions? Silly question which of course dictates a silly yet simplistic answer—you should act the way you feel is right based upon everything but a statistical fact. Its all about heart and soul and what you feel is right.

It’s amazing sometimes what our kids tell us especially when we actually listen for a change. They make us proud even with all the hell they have put us through and then they aren’t kids anymore as they climb their own statistical ladder.

Lessons come from both old and young—you just have to recognize them.

I still like the Buick...that's one thing we can't agree on:)