A few weeks ago I was in a Ross store buying some tights, and the clerk, who was -- maybe -- 12, looked at me and said in a monotone: "Are-you-55-or-older." No question mark. Just a statement. Something she said to all the old people, I guessed. But why was she saying that to me??!!
I stuttered, "Well, I'm 55, but not older!"
She replied, "Okay. You get the Tuesday Senior discount."
There's a first for everything, and this was the first time I saved 46 cents for being "55-and-older".
Obviously, this is not my path to riches.
---
On a brighter note, my friend Robin and I walked the trails of Cougar Mountain this afternoon, awash in pale winter sun: a universe of ferns and alders, big-leaf maples and cedars. The stream was high from last night's rain, and spilled over a cliffside onto rocks draped in lush moss, slipped under a lashing of windfall saplings, vanished beyond our vision into second-growth forest.
It's been too long since we've shared this pleasure of walking these trails, but thank god we figured out the world in that hour and a half. There are few secrets left between us, I'm guessing.
And weren't we just in our twenties, when we were certain the world was a knowable entity? I admit a certain sense of thanks for reaching 55 (and not 555, which I just typed but corrected) and realizing that the world needs figuring-out on a regular basis. A daily basis. An hourly basis. Minute to minute. Right now!
I don't know about Robin, but I certainly didn't feel 55 or, for that matter, any age. But then, just what does 55 feel like? I think it feels like this (which was in my head this morning upon waking):
I regularly sort out all the world's problems, but when the alcohol wears off I tend to forget the finer details.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year, T. Bisou, Cro.
It's a shock isn't it?
ReplyDelete"Obviously this is not my path to riches" cracked me up.
ReplyDeleteif only the movie theaters would lower their senior age from 65 to 55 -- then we'd see some real savings! 6 more months and I will qualify.
ReplyDeleteI am weary of trying to change the world. I had a lot of energy for it in my twenties. Not so much now. I think I'll let the twenty year olds carry on.
Happy New Year, my dear. Best wishes for the days getting better and better all the time.
Happy New Year T.! over here they start the discounts at age 50. might as well enjoy! take 2012 easy, sp
ReplyDeleteHola, T., and a very Happy New Year to you!
ReplyDeleteI could really relate to your Discount story. I got my first senior discount in Sept. at a Denny's on the way home from our Topsail Family Reunion, and she didn't card me or even look twice at me! (I was 55 then also.) If it wasn't for the arthritis I inherited, I would have trouble believing the number of years that have passed. I LOVE the song you chose...and I look forward to your insights and observations in 2012...
Much love, Linda