Getting Old
April 25, 2008
“Dad?” RileyGrace is sitting in the back of our Ford Windstar gazing out the window.
”Yes, ma’am.”
“How many years is a person when they start to get old?” I glance at her in the rear view mirror. Her posture is perfect as she sits atop the last car seat she’ll ever need. Her head is tilted inquisitively. Loose strands of angel hair dance in front of her face, glowing in the afternoon sun. My last little girl is growing up so fast. She smiles, awaiting an answer to her question.
“Well, it depends,” I offer. “Some people get old very early. Others really never seem to get old. I guess it just depends on the person.”
She considered this for a moment. I am proud of my response. Not too much information, but enough to answer the question accurately. It is a secret aspiration of mine that my kids will one day look back and reflect on the great wisdom of their father. I bask in visions of the three of them as adults sharing Thanksgiving coffee around the family table, marveling at how good ole’ Dad could take even the most complex of subjects and put them in terms that even a child could understand.
“Dad?” RileyGrace interrupts my delusions of grandeur.
“Yes, honey.”
“How many years were you when you got old?”
Clearly I have done my job.
Posted in Family, Life in General, Stories
April 25th, 2008 at 9:41 am
To quote the great LA, “I just spit sweet tea.” That’s awesome.
April 25th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
I liked your answer. I don’t feel any older (except for the occasional aches and pains) than the day I graduated from college. I know that I have increased in wisdom (that goes without saying) but certainly not maturity!
April 27th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
I feel old……….what were we talking about?
April 27th, 2008 at 8:10 pm
So how old were you? Just curious.
April 27th, 2008 at 8:13 pm
God continuously laughs as he adds more grey reasons aloft the part of my body I pay most attention. IT AIN’T THAT FUNNY TO SOME OF US THOUGH!!
I hear it is a sign of becoming distinguished. Is this something someone votes on? Is there a SIMON involved in all of this? I am getting mad just talking about it…. AAAAAGGGGHHHHH!!!
Stinks to get old, but my LA will forever be older… I love you honey!!!
June 12th, 2008 at 9:39 pm
Brandon…just ran across your blog. This is hysterical…