Growing old?

I am sure going to get some smirks and scorns by few readers ;-)

First it was those 2 silver streaks of hair that made me wonder if I was growing old. My intuition told me those were just signs of pollution and stress. But the other day we were just having some casual conversation at work and one of my team mate explained his user name on gtalk. It was a combination of his name and DOB. Well, this chap is a freshmen and was born in late 80s.

I then counted on my fingers his and my age difference. I am an early 80s born and thus well into my late 20s. Yeah! see did I not say I might get a few scorns and smirks!!

I know! but it just struck me how OLD I was. That was not the only time. Few months ago I was wondering who this Justin Bieber is - so many teens are crazy about him. When you are surrounded with folks who have considerable age gap you feel the pinch. Be it the conversation or their attitude.

Am I old? Does growing old physically matter? Or as a cliche its all in the mind stuff? I have been fortunate enough to be deemed much younger than my age. Not once but many times. I was once denied wine by a waiter in The Venetian in Las Vegas as he thought I was underage. He did not budge unless I showed him my DOB on my passport. One other time a physician; without even asking my age just assumed I was in early 20s until I corrected him and he was surprised.

Its certainly a feel good factor; yet why do I have that lump in my throat? No! I dont forget things; yet I do not remember them too well either. I am more interested in stocks and equity than my favorite Tom & Jerry on Cartoon Network. Polka dots and satin ribbons dont fascinate me as they did few years ago. I am conscious about licking my "gola" in a posh restaurant; all I am worried is my table etiquette.

And obviously the attitude shifts and the feeling of being left out when these freshmen call me 'senior' and talk about my career experience. I get a sting when I count my working years; when I remember how many years it has been since I quit college. Or the days of Maruti 800 and Ambassador and Doordarshan. When I could count the vehicles on the road and when I savored Nancy Drews, Secret Sevens and Famous Five. So long.............now its PSP and Dora and Jetix and what not!

But that has not changed me from trying to feel young and look good. I see people of my age have outdated views and knowledge. They rather prefer to be with their own outdated views than update themselves. They grow old but do not grow up. Rather when do we grow old? We grow old as our mind ages. Why let it age?

So I thought let me just shake off the age factor and gel with the young and old. Growing old cannot be changed; everyone has to. Growing up is what matters; let me not stop playing. You grow old when you stop playing and not the other way. Let me grow up; learn new things, explore new avenues, dream and laugh my way!