Showing your age

The other day, the ladies on The Talk did something very brave. They wore their ages printed on their t-shirts. This is brave because we are in a society where women often lie about their age and people will spend great amounts of money trying to look younger than they are and trying to fool themselves into thinking they are younger than they are. It is also brave for someone in the entertainment industry to admit age because there is a thought that once you hit a certain year you are no longer castable. Does letting people know your real age make you suddenly vulnerable? To other it may seem this way, but it actually appears to be empowering. The women on The Talk embraced their numbers and wore them proud.

Throughout life, I have set silly little milestones or deadlines. The first was that when I turned 30 I would get botox. This idea grew out of my days as a news producer working long hours and not getting much sleep. It was starting to show. However, after ramping up my skin care regimen I decided that I could and should skip the indictable birthday present to myself, I just didn't need it. So, I said I would put off that appointment until age 35, but at that time I think I will feel the same. I am pleased with my skin and my aging. I seem to have fewer wrinkles than many people my age or younger and any signs of age that do show are displayed with grace, or so I hope.

I have also wondered if, and at what age, I will ever stop telling people my real age. Many people have an age they are stuck at. They purposely celebrate their 29th birthday over and over again. Sometimes when younger people find out how old I am they give me the head tilt and an "oh." As if to apologize for my being so old. This gesture always makes me laugh. I view my age as a badge of honor. I have done many things in life, accomplished many goals, and I have many fond memories. I would not trade them in for anything, including a different date on my drivers license. When I get that sort of reaction I generally do the same thing in my head toward my younger peer. I feel a bit sorry for them for being so young and naive and for thinking that I have something to be ashamed about because I have lived a few more (full and active) years than they have. I don't have a scary age, so I doubt at this point that I will start lying soon. I do not fear turning 35, or 40, and so on. So, this year I will proudly display 33 candles on my birthday cake!