I am 45

There, I said it and it’s a big deal, though it shouldn’t be. You see, in this youth obsessed culture of ours, there is no room for people like me. I’m inundated with messages that I need to go to great lengths to cover any sign that I have been on this earth this long. I should be injecting substances into my face to hide the wrinkles and if it’s really bad, go under then knife. I’m to make sure I cover my gray as well. Then I’m supposed to lie about my age.

Women my age are apparently in competition with our daughters. We’re supposed to act and dress like them. Maybe even talk like them. So not only are we to cover up any signs that we’re lived, we’re to cover up any intelligence gained along the way as well. This is so wrong, but we as a society have allowed it. And I’m not blaming sexism because women are typically the drivers in this. They set the tone. No one makes us buy into this nonsense, but women certainly do buy into it. Then they try to force it on all they know.

If you’re an outlier, like I am, you’re made to feel inadequate. You’re told that you basically only hold value if you look younger than you are. If you’re honest about your age, if you don’t try to hide it, if you’re actually secure in yourself as you are, then you are the bravest person they’ve known. Which really means they think you’re old and they now have an advantage over you. You are no longer their competition.

I have a different perspective on aging. I was sick as a child and was told I would die young. I’ve outlived my prognosis by almost 30 years now and I can’t explain in words how happy I am with each day that I have. Hiding my age or denying the privilege that each new day is would be an insult to how fortunate I am. My wish to others would be that I hope they realize what a gift life is and what a shame it is to try to hide that. Life is simply too short to spent time trying to cover up a life lived.