I read last week that a survey in UK has reclassified 'middle age' to be starting from 53 years & not from 35 etc. This was an endorsement of what I have always thought, except that I thought middle age starts only when you are ready. Symptoms of middle age are interesting. Your dentist is younger than what she used to be, you cant handle a TV remote without help, you refrain from upgrading your mobile phone because you find it a nuisance to cope with the options, you are aware & guilty about the extra drink that you had, etc.
I am at that stage in life where my mind yearns to be un-middle-aged. I coloured my hair when I attented Sruti's registration wedding. "He was so graceful when he did not do this", Sruti tells David's parents. "A pink shirt?", Neena exclaimed when I wore one for a friends son's reception. "Not another one Sir for you", said my 32 year old factory manager when I was competing with him in a drinking session. "Great job done, but time for you to put your legs up", said an old friend. World around me is in a haste to retire me, blank me out.
I am suddenly conscious that I go for evening walks with people who are retired. That people who not retired dismiss me with a "hi". That when I get stopped for drunken driving, they just wave me away. That when I stand in Q they say "after you". That people greet me with an opening remark, "how is your health".
I sit home as I write this. Monday morning. How many less-than-middle-aged can do this? The middle age has arrived prematurely. When I look at the mirror every morning, I debate with a happy dilema as to what I should select to preserve? My mirror would snarl back," preserve your personality".
"Uncle, I need some money to buy books". Anjali is the daughter of a construction worker. She sat next to me as I drove her to a bookshop. Middle age is that stage in our lives when we are poised to help, with our wisdom & our resources. Thank God that I am middle-aged.
'The joy of gifting' week comes soon. Age is only a number, but middle age is magic. Let us handle it in style & make it count.
I am 56 and proud of it.
