Getting too old for what?
I couldn’t help recalling a conversation I had with my accountant a few years ago. He was encouraging me to start a retirement fund and be really aggressive with my contributions because: “Well you won’t be able to do this kinda work forever..!” And I thought to myself: “Geez…of course I will, until I die or until they stop paying me!”
However, as I hobbled up my front stairs yesterday evening after our fifth gig in a row I wondered: “Am I really getting too old for this?” My knees were aching, my back was stiff from riding in a car on a busy highway. I was beat and so was Brady(drummer). And he’s got the energy of a kid sometimes…but even he seems weary at times. This can be such demanding work-emotionally as well as the physical output…dancing on a stage for three hours, singing, putting yourself out there. I am not complaining but will I be able to do this in ten years – Hell, five years?
Do not misunderstand me. I love my work. I love my life. It really is a wonderul way to make a living but I wonder sometimes if I am really ignoring that I am getting old. I went to a going away party last nite at a tavern in Bucktown with a friend (who is actually a couple years younger than I) We entered the bar and I just piled my way thru the crowd looking for a familiar face. My friend was right behind me. We finally emerged from the almost solid mass of people after finding my party. Her first comment was: “most of the people in this bar are half my age!” That thought never occurred to me. Hell, I knew the music, I felt comfortable and never even thought: “I am so old, I am too old to be here”…not at all. Is that a good thing or am I in denial? Does my work make me more youth culture oriented? Am I the old broad sitting in the kid zone and just oblivious to it? Or am I just comfortable in my own old skin?
Of course I spend a ton of time hanging at places where the kiddies are listening to current music so I can keep up and play current stuff for my weddings etc. I am very close to my nieces who are both under age 22. I love hip hop and rap. Yall know I like most kinds of music and I have no qualms or bias against comtemporary music. I would never have heard of Amy Winehouse if it weren’t for the kiddies!…Plus yall know mama likes younger men…but I swear that’s not why I hang with the kiddies. I just don’t think about it. Sometimes i joke and say I’m old…but it never inhibits me…
Of course there are the undeniable physical age indicators: aches, pains and the like. But I bet I can conquer a lot of that by getting in shape again and losing this unhealthy weight. I think I am not going to worry about my age. I will prepare for the future (ie. contributing to my own retirement fund) take care of the now (lose weight, get back into shape) and enjoy life regardless of the age of those around me!! What are your thoughts?
Filed under: In the Life of a Diva
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here, here! Well, though I look young, my body does scream 60!!! Well just kidding, not that old buy a mile, but with the time, comes aches and pain, and the joint issues…. I say when you think you are old, you are! When you stop working, having fun, etc, you die! I see it all the time, people decide to retire then they get bored, old or just larger in size… Moving on that stage is a great way to stay in sharp and as wee know, the really thing folks out there in Hollywood doesn’t mean they are fit! Keep at this girl, and do what feels good. Old age is coming when it comes!
1 Web Manager said this (July 22, 2007 at 4:21 pm)
Amen Sista!!
2 Lynne said this (July 23, 2007 at 4:55 am)
Well,
I learned a lot from my grannies. One Black Women age gracefully (when we aint actin a fool over our God, our children or a man). Those who have a relationship with God do find grace. My granny Grace passed away this year at the ripe beautiful age of 100 and whne she did she still could get up the flight of 20 stairs to her apartment better than me and was in less pain. And my granny Lucille (Hallie Lucille if you wanna be proper, Sistah if you knew the family) has lived with Alzheumers for 11 or 12 years now, far past the “norm”. So for you my Sistah I say just enjoy life, life is what you make it and what you take from it. It’s often short for people who put superficial boundaries on it such as doing what is “proper for your age” and enjoyed to the hilt by those that set their own standards. I love when people see acts of my faith and proclaim “it don’t take all that” (First you gotta love the ebonics) Well not for them, but I want God’s good grace to be here to see my great grand-kids and still be healthy. SO to each it’s own. You are only as old as you feel.
Love, Dannie
PS If you have a real pinnache for younger men, you shoud visit the base down here. Most of these Military are either single or divorced (have their “starter marriage” out of the way by age 20) and would love to have a wife who has her own life would quit nagging him LOL Plus their seem to be much less of a racial or age biased. Everyone bleeds green (except for me I refuse to conform)
3 danniem said this (July 24, 2007 at 5:00 pm)
Yay! I finally got through the electronic fences to re-register! what a pain in the ass!
You are gorgeous, fearless and amazing! We’re all getting “old” but not aging…….Well maybe we are but it’s our attitude that makes it! I stopped dyeing my hair 2 1/2 years ago, don’t worry about the wrinkles and take one day at a time! Although my physiatrist (yes, that’s the correct spelling) nearly fell off his chair when we had our first appt. and I listed everything wrong with me physically! But with his help I’m on the road to some sort of diagnosis and rehabilitation program. Gotta get these old bones and muscles moving!!!!! On that note I think I’ll make a martini and go soak in the hot tub and be grateful for the mountains and the magic of the aina! I know you know what I mean since you did visit last year! A hui hou!
4 manele said this (July 28, 2007 at 2:54 pm)
Hey Girrl! Thanks so much for your comment! Love it! and loved hearing about the matriarchs in your family and how they held strong like great trees.
Girl, I ain’t tripping about anything anymore if I can help it! Weight, age, men…I am just gonna do what I need to do and get on with living life to the hilt!! Amen sista!!
5 Lynne said this (July 28, 2007 at 3:28 pm)
Amen, amen. Never have felt my age. Always felt older until I turned 30 and got divorced, the I regressed (good thing). Now I’m working on a way to get the Time Space continum to run in reverse. I’m backing it up to about age 35, then look out.
When I get it figured out, I’ll let you know.
Linda
6 earthgoddesswithin said this (August 10, 2007 at 3:47 pm)