How to tell you're getting old

How can you tell you're getting old? There are the obvious reasons like your body has new aches and pains on a daily basis. When your body doesn't heal the way it used to. When your muscles ache for two days after working in the yard for a short time. When you have to psych yourself up to do anything that requires physical exertion. When you no longer get carded at the pony keg. When you hear kids refer to the 80's as the old days. When you have more hair growing out of your ears than the top of your head. When you say things like, "I've been driving for 30 years" or "Look honey! I got an invitation to my 30 year class reunion!". When staying home on a Saturday night is much more desirable than going out and you actually celebrate when it happens. When your kids refer to some place other than your house as "home" (this is true for 2 out of 3 of my kids). When you plan your drive around being able to hear the news on the car radio. When you have a strong desire to tell people to stay off your lawn. When your TV remote has more buttons than the cockpit of the space shuttle and you have no clue what any of the buttons actually do. When you buy a new AM/FM radio and based on the smirk on the young clerk's face you feel like you just purchased a gramophone. When you actually remember stuff you see in vintage or antique shops. When a cup of coffee and reading quietly in the morning is the highlight of your day. When you do anything early to either "beat the crowd" or because you know you'll be too tired later. When you discuss all your newly developed health issues with your spouse instead of what the kids have been up to. When you spend enough time in the restroom to read War and Peace. When you walk into a room and have no idea why you went in there in the first place. When you see a toddler throwing a tantrum and realize you don't have to deal with it. Been there, done that! I did my time! When you get out of bed it sounds like somebody just poured a bowl of Rice Krispies. Snap! Crackle! Pop! When you can't read the menu at a restaurant because you left your reading glasses in the car. When you realize it's 11:00 and you are up way past your bedtime. When you receive junk mail from the AARP and you actually read it instead of instantly throwing it in the trash. When a nap is a part of your daily routine and not an occasional treat. When you spend almost as much time in your recliner as you do in the bathroom. When you are no longer surprised and fully expect to fall asleep in your recliner. When you buy clothes for comfort rather than style. When you complain about the price of something and proclaim to anyone who will listen the cheapest price you can remember for the same item. Remember when candy bars were a nickel or dime and you needed more than three bites to finish them? When you start thinking about ways to pass family traditions on to your children and grandchildren (see yesterday's post). When you realize the world has drastically changed in your lifetime. When you realize how truly young your father was when he died at the age of 47. I only need to live one more year to live a longer life than him. That is mind boggling! When you realize what is truly important in life. God, the Bible, family (especially grandchildren) and the simple things. When things like possessions and status are suddenly quite insignificant. When you ask somebody to repeat themselves three times and you still didn't hear them... you just laugh and pretend you heard what they said and pray to God they didn't ask you a question. When a person YOU consider old says, "Welcome to the club!".

But how can you REALLY tell you're getting old? When the ledge above your stove looks like the photo below. What used to be home to spice jars and knick knacks is now home to a small pharmacy.