Remember that? Many moons ago, we used to say that to each other when we were growing up. High school. Actually, if memory serves, prior to high school. And if you think about it, you probably can remember a person and an incident where this would have been an appropriate thing to say, right? We’ve all been there. Far too often, people fail to act their age.
Through a popular social networking site, I’ve recently come into contact with a large group of people that I went to high school with. High school was a long, long time ago. For me, it was almost 38 years ago that I graduated. For others in the group, it’s a bit longer, over 40 years. Obviously, none of us in the group is a teenager anymore. What I find interesting is that people that haven’t seen each other in a long time, in decades, once reunited will revert to acting the same age they were the last time they saw each other. It’s funny to watch. It’s even embarrassing at times. No, not me, but I am embarrassed to watch other 50+ people acting as though they were fifteen or sixteen.
I’m not talking about just reminiscing. That can be fun. Posting youtube clips of songs that were popular back in the day is fun. Listing games we played is fun. Listing activities we used to participate in is fun. Complaining about some of our old teachers can be fun. And comparing “battle scars” from back in the day can also be fun. However, it’s painful to watch some of these people talk (well type, actually) as if they were back in high school. It’s painful to watch some of them acting as if they are teenagers on the prowl for “romantic” reasons. It’s painful to watch some of them bragging about still looking as young as they did in high school. Believe me, I’ve seen some of them and either they looked like geriatric patients in high school or they are far from youthful looking today. They’re over 50 and look every day of it. They don’t look 18. They don’t look 25. They don’t even look 35. Or 40. And if anyone is telling them that (besides themselves when they look in the defective mirror) then they should be truly suspicious about that person’s motives and they should not run out and change their wills! And it’s not exclusive to women. They guys are just as guilty of it. Come on people, you really look nothing at all like a high school or college student…not even a grad student! Grow up! Face the facts. If He is telling you that you look like you’re 25, it’s because he figures you’ll be a sure thing if he says that to you and if She is telling you that you look like you’re 25, it’s because she’s looking for a sugar daddy! Face the facts. Face the mirror. Face the truth and your age!
Fifty is a number and an attitude. It’s not a death sentence. You can be 50 and over and have a lot of life and a lot of fun left in you. Stop pretending that you’re younger than your own kids and grandkids!
Face the facts. But on your happy face and your dancing shoes and go out and have some fun!
Act your age, not your shoe size!
I’m with you! I think some people try to relive their memories to the extent they can’t let go of the past. Personally, I love my memories, but I would not want to do it all over again! 🙂
I like getting older and I like who I’ve become. Forget the wrinkles and the gray hair that we develop as we grow older. I like the wisdom and demureness that come with the grace of age! I can sit back and observe the wonders of life without judgement, because I’ve already been there.
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You’re absolutely right about the wisdom and maturity. I loved high school. They were some of the best years of my life and I had the future to look forward to but that’s in the past. I’m now stronger, wiser, more secure, and yes…older! I’ve got the wrinkles, gray hair and extra pounds to prove I’m older but I’ve also got a lifetime of memories, three wonderful adult children and a beautiful grandson! I think I’m way ahead of where I was in high school!
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I agree! Glad someone finally said it. Thanks for a great post. 🙂
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Or perhaps, grow old gracefully. I admire when cultures respect the elderly; it gives people something to look forward to instead of something to dread, avoid, and lie to oneself about.
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Oh! I forgot — I have to say something about people larger feet getting the short end of the stick when everybody is acting younger than they are… 😉
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Honestly, this is one of the reasons that I am looking forward to my first high school reunion. It is going to be so much fun watching people and seeing how they will react to each other. We will all be 27 or 28 years old.
Also, if I’m really being honest, I think about whether or not I will have the most impressive job or have the right date, or a date at all, but I know it doesn’t mean anything in the real picture and I remind myself of that. I know I will mostly be interested in where everyone else is at. I bet we will all be near the same place, except for those with 1 or 2 kids already (TOO SOON!)
Also, wanted to let you know that the 1 month update for the bookmark break challenge is up.
http://whosyoureditor.blogspot.com/2012/02/bookmark-break-challenge-2012-1-month.html
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You’ll have to blog about it after the fact. I’ve been to three of my high school reunions and one college reunion. I don’t think I’ll go to any more unless I am absolutely positively sure that certain people will be there so I can see them. There are very few I care to see…it’s the ones that can face reality and the fact that high school is over that I will want to see. I can do without the phonies!
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Interesting post. You got me thinking, thinking about my class reunions and also the Facebook page with those from my hometown who graduated in the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s.
In the latter group I’m only one of three or four who graduated in the 50’s, so quite the elder. No getting around that. It has been an advantage because I can fill them in on some town history. I have not seen the dynamic you describe here perhaps because we are more into honoring our town and pulling forth history.
Reunions take more thought for me. I went first to my 30th, then 35th and 45th (I think) By the 30th many are beyond the showing off stage. I was surprised to find I talked and had a lot in common with many not in my H.S. circle of friends. There were still clicks, no doubt about it, but I don’t recall anyone trying to act younger than their age.
Oh wait! There were those few guys who turned into high school boys and reverted to the ways they tried to attract girls, acknowledging as they did it, but enjoying it none the less.
I don’t recall anyone trying to be something they weren’t. Maybe I just wasn’t paying attention. 🙂
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You’ve had better reunion experiences than I have! The last high school reunion I went to was number 30 and I kid you not, the same jock that was cheating on his cheerleader girlfriend in high school was still acting like the jock and was making out with someone other than his wife who was also present and still acting like the oblivious cheerleader she was 30 years before! And the ones that were totally quiet, like mice in high school…yeah they were there too. Quietly sitting in the corner watching and not participating. The cliques were there…you know the ones…in full force, still acting exclusive. And from the looks of it on FB, my next reunion (#40) won’t be much different.
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I have no interest in going back to a high school reunion. The few people I got along with and have kept in touch with, they know where I am. I don’t feel the need to see any of the rest of them.
As to facebook, well, I’m there, but only as my penname. I never felt the compulsion to put my name out there so that someone I haven’t been in touch with since graduation can track me down. If I’d wanted to keep in touch with them, I would have.
It’s odd, though, what you headlined this blog with… it reminded me of my eldest sister, who has always had a problem acting her age. Her daughter is more mature then she is.
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I don’t like it when men and women in the their 40’s and 50’s try to act and dress like they’re in their 20’s. It’s really bad in Hollywood where you can’t age and have to get Botox injections and date 20 years olds!
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