When Are We Too Old for Anything?

During one of the days that I was spending with my terminally ill sister-in-law, we were talking about my work and my 80-mile round trip drive. Joanie said, with no malicious intent, "You're too old to be driving that far for work everyday."

We laughed about it, and a part of me actually agreed with her because of the job I was driving to at the time. There was a lot of pressure involved in a job that should not have been that pressurized, but unfortunately, in order to make a decent salary, I had to drive those 80 miles every day; it's no wonder that my 2005 car is close to 100,000 miles.

But you know, we've all looked at ourselves and others with that same thought, "I'm/she's/he's too old for that." There are a lot of us Baby Boomers who still cling to the some of what we might consider our "glory days" of the 60s and 70s. I figure, as long as you don't have a death grip on it, just go for it, and occasionally give yourself a real look-see in the mirror...should that navel be showing...should I be wearing that?

Genetics and bad habits generally make the decision for us. What looked good on a 23-inch waist generally does not look good on a body with 23-inch thighs because, sadly, proportionately, that 23-inch waist is a mere memory.

As I seek employment, I hear my sister-in-law's voice in my head and remember this past winter's awful mess on Route 84. Would I rather work closer to home? Sure I would, but employers in the area are not willing or able to compete with the Westchester salaries, so my eyes are still looking south.

I guess what I'm saying is that I'm not ready to say "when" on driving 80-miles a day just yet. And, it's not just because that longer commute gives me a chance to listen to my Eagles, Chicago, Santana, Carole King, James Taylor (you get the picture) CDs.