We have new daycare workers this year. The manager is a nice woman about my age. She has two teenage sons. In fact, we're secretly conspiring to make our children marry each other. In a timely manner.
Then there is 23 year old Stacy, recently married, waiting for her husband to graduate from college, and thinking about babies. I thought we shared a collegial relationship. I thought wrong.
Last week she asked me how old I was. I replied with the standard, "old" response.
"No, really. How old are you?"
"I'll be 44 on Tuesday."
"That's not old!" she laughed. "That's only a year older than my MOM!"
Wow. That comment did not make me feel old at all.
Having a 4 year old gives me a false sense of youth. I like it. I'd accepted that I am at least the age of many of my students' parents. They have teenagers.
I also understood that, in theory, many of my former high school classmates are legitimate grandparents. In theory.
But I had just been compared to a colleague's mother. With that one remark, she pushed me squarely into the next generation.
I pulled a tissue from the inside of my flowered polyester sleeve to wipe the tears from my eyes - or it could have been sweat from my hot flashes.
Then there is 23 year old Stacy, recently married, waiting for her husband to graduate from college, and thinking about babies. I thought we shared a collegial relationship. I thought wrong.
Last week she asked me how old I was. I replied with the standard, "old" response.
"No, really. How old are you?"
"I'll be 44 on Tuesday."
"That's not old!" she laughed. "That's only a year older than my MOM!"
Wow. That comment did not make me feel old at all.
Having a 4 year old gives me a false sense of youth. I like it. I'd accepted that I am at least the age of many of my students' parents. They have teenagers.
I also understood that, in theory, many of my former high school classmates are legitimate grandparents. In theory.
But I had just been compared to a colleague's mother. With that one remark, she pushed me squarely into the next generation.
I pulled a tissue from the inside of my flowered polyester sleeve to wipe the tears from my eyes - or it could have been sweat from my hot flashes.
I was complaining about turning 31 this year to one of my very young daycare moms and she looked at me and with all seriousness said "you don't look old"....it was one of those, I think it was a compliment but that didn't make me feel any better, moments. :) ha, ha!
ReplyDeleteYou coworker was probably secretly hoping to be as hot as you are when she turns 44! She can only hope!
ReplyDeleteYou seriously look 25. And I'll be 32 in May, with no kids. This gives me hope. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd your comment on my blog made me laugh so hard!
My son has a close friend named Mason.
ReplyDeleteI am older than Mason's grandpa.
Cool.
I get mistaken for my moms sister instead of daughter all the time. The last time the lady says " I dont mean you look your moms age, I mean your mom looks your age." Im not sure thats better. I know my mom looks young but she doesnt look 30 so does that mean I look 40??
ReplyDeleteHahaha! My oldest BIL is the same as my mother and he was none to pleased when I pointed that out to him. But to be fair, there is 17 years between him and my hubby.
ReplyDeleteOh how I get it.
ReplyDeleteHaving a two-year-old (and my only child) at 41 puts me in the weird category. The 26-year-old new moms in my ward get big eyes when I fess up my age.
When I voted, I took ds with me and the woman behind the desk asked if he was my grandson.
Uh, hello.
Can I get your cane? It's right over here by mine.
you ARE NOT OLD!!!!
ReplyDeleteYou're like a fine wine-you get better as you age.
ReplyDeleteRight?
Please, please tell me I'm right.
When my 19 year old daughter took The Boy and I to the pediatrician for his first checkup, the nurse wanted to know if it was grandma, mom and son...uh no - it's mom, daughter and son, thank you.
ReplyDeleteAnd a blogger just commented that I made her feel young...at 52, I'm sure I make most bloggers think of their parents.
I love it! you just wait til she gets old and then you can jab it right back at her!
ReplyDeleteI so want to see your flowed polyester shirt on Sunday.
ReplyDeleteYolanda
I can't believe you have a 4 year old...
ReplyDelete