I'm not a senior yet - but, very curious!?

There is nothing wrong with asking a question that will educate or

enlighten you, when you can't necessarily find it in any book. I wish I

had thought to ask similar questions of my grandparents or even my

mother, when they were alive. The time we are on this earth is so

swift in passing. Just as my grandma told me. She said, when she

looked into the mirror, she was always surprised at the old lady staring

back at her. For she still felt like a young girl inside. And tho I don't

feel that young inside, I do still think like a younger person might. Except for the fact, I'm more settled down, and don't get uptight about

things as I used to. And I take an interest in the little things I'd take

for granted before. Even watching a robin drink from a bird bath. Now

I've actually got the time to stop and stare and learn and enjoy. When

I was young, I hardly took notice of any birds ,anywhere.

I grew up between the mid 40's and into the early 60's. And I feel it

was the best time to be young. The second world war was finally over.

The economy was up, people were buying homes and re settling and

having children. Our parents were frugal, being raised in the depression

and then having to stretch everything again during the war years. There

was no wasting anything. And there were no lavish treats. Children

were not bought many toys. That's why we were made to use our

imaginations when we could. We would improvise with sticks or tree

branches for playing guns or rifles as with cowboys and indians. If

someone had a tree house, he was a popular boy. And he generally

had a club of members that were the only ones admitted.

We played street games with a ball, or a jump rope or roller skates,

by ourselves or with others. And we were lucky if we each had our

own bikes, and didn't have to share with a brother or another sister.

Going to school we learned to behave to our strict teachers. Boys

often got their knuckles whacked with the teachers' ruler if they pulled

the hair of the girl sitting in front of them in the row seating they had

with sunken ink wells.

Later came highschool,and it was a culture shock. We felt we had

to grow up instantly to fit in. Girls wore makeup and adult hair styles.

They had blossomed figures and they had boyfriends, they'ed walk

the lunch hour with, holding hands.

On Friday and Saturday nights, all of the popular kids would take

their cars downtown to cruise the main drag down Broadway. Cars

would be polished to a high gloss, and guys and girls would wave to

others driving by or on the sidewalks in front of the theatres that they

recognized. After cruising, kids would meet at the local burger joint

which was also on Broadway. Called Jolly Joans. This was a regular

restaurant and before the crazed of drive ins' with car hops hit full bore.

There was always excitement in the air, and you felt fun to be alive,

and that you'd be alive, forever. Old age was something you never

thought about. It was so far off, it seemed like it was far into eternity.

Highschool was a real learning experience in more ways than from

just a text book. There were cultural levels according to class structure. There were those students who came from an area of expensive homes, and the fathers worked for higher salaries. Mothers

stayed home, and the fathers were the sole providers. Many of the

boys got cars when they got their licenses. Daddy's money bought

them, generally. These boys hung out with girls of the same culture

class. They weren't necessarily good students, they were just the

popular ones. And money seemed to make them popular.

We were taught manners at home, and according to how we were

taught, those rules we carried inside to become good citizens as

adults. Boys were taught to respect all elders, and young girls. Young

girls were also taught to respect their elders and especially obeying

their parents about dating rules and who they were allowed to be

with. Parents' were often instrumental in the friendships we were

allowed. Especially, when it came to the opposite sex.

As young kids, we weren't allowed to talk back, and it was also

frowned upon as teenagers to do so also. If you did this as a young

kid, you often had your mouth washed out with soap. As a teen,

you were grounded to the house, and weren't allowed out to see

your friends or ride your bikes or any exercise outside where you

could see your friends. We had a strict upbringing, but not as strict

as our parents or grandparents before us. Each generation gets more

lax. Parent's don't want their children afraid of them, and so they

are more lenient. And considering how corporal punishment is frowned

upon today, many parents are afraid their children might report them

to the police for abusing them.

The period in which I grew up, was a time for respecting the rights

of others. Of honesty, and cooperation, and being agreeable and

not confrontational.

1> My growing up years were great. I lived in a smallish town. 52,000 people by the time I left (18 yrs old), and it was wonderful. We had NO TV, or any other electronic dodads to keep us inside so we were always in the bush, down the beach or at a mates place. I worked parttime after school and on weekends and volunteered for meals on wheels and the Red Cross. Adults were there to be obeyed, teachers were gods and manners were paramount. We were safe to roam anywhere we wanted and NEVER knew anything about crime, drugs or sex. Just a sweet innocent safe childhood. I wish I could have given my kids the same.

2>Growing older comes in stages and its not really fun!!! As an adult you have so many responsibilites that weigh you down and as an older adult the onset of many age related illnesses can be very trying. The arrival of grandchildren tho makes up for all the aches and pains. You look at them and know that it was all worth while. LOL

I have been blessed with a close loving family a loyal supportive husband and some wonderful friends. Money has always been a problem but fortunately in Australia the Govt does look after its citizens very well so that makes life easier. pensions, health care etc.

3> Yes I have some regrets, I think everyone does to some degree. I look back and see how and when I could have done things differently or better but you do what you can with what you have at the time and really thats all anyone can do. Dont waste time on regrets, its like guilt it just drags you down and pulls you under.

1. It was nice. People being polite to each other. Cussing was a no no in the working place because professionalism ruled. We were, however, always being watched by the supervisor so you did your job so as not to lose it and because you took pride in what you did. The world was more people oriented. For example, when you went to a dept. store you really got individual service. The customer was always right, no matter how obnoxious. There were rules and we followed them without question. Certain behavior was expected. I prefer that time myself. At least you knew right from wrong. These days anything goes.

2. Age creeps up on you. You are not aware that you have grown old until you look in the mirror (because you always remember yourself as young), start realizing you can't do 10 things in one day, and naturally slow down. Also, you find a lot of your friends and co-workers keep dying on you. You are not considered young anymore but you are not a senior, just an in-between and sometimes you try to fit in somewhere between the two. Another is you can't eat the way you did when you were younger as some foods start talking to you.

3. My life is not over yet but my only regret is that I did not finish college and I wish I had of met another guy instead of the one I married. I also wish I had had the desire to drive early on (I didn't drive until I was 35).

Still life is good and it is great to be alive.

Your question is long and complicated. Seems to ask for long, thoughtful answers.

1. I loved the 50s, mostly. Think back fondly on it. We were taught honesty, fair play, and an honest day of work. Now, I am not sure that the elders were all right in this. Mother taught me that I would get along wonderfully, with these things. Not always true.

2. What I like in growing older is that I am retired. Have lots of time to do the things I want. Not tied to a time clock. I can sleep late and stay up late all the time. I can putz around in my garden, volunteer some time. ... What I hate is that I have to be careful with my health. Eat properly, etc. No more plates filled with burgers and fries.

3. My regrets are few, not worth bothering with. Sure, I made mistakes, but who hasn't? On the whole, I did well. Raised 2 great kids, worked well at my job.

I'm not classified an "official" senior yet. I am turning 60 in August. I grew up in the 50s and 60s. Great time especially here on Bayou Lafourche. I had wonderful parents and siblings.

As much as I love and adore my grandchildren, they sass there Mom like we would never have done, nor would my children have. I would have slapped their mouths and now you just "can't do that". Oh well.

Also, as I grow older, I appreciate each and every friend I have so much more. I have some wonderful friends, 6 that I have known since childhood. We take trips together, play board games, are in the same Red Hat Society group, etc.

My husband and I have been married 39 years, many of them rocky before he quit drinking. Now, we are a lot more mellow.

I enjoy my life. I keep busy and excersize a lot by doing sweating to the oldies and treadmill. I have few regrets.

Long term memory is a wonderful thing, it gives us this really neat play back button. It's kind of like the old computers we used way before 1995, those machines didn't have windows. The user had to know the codes to access the menu, once there you had to make the right choices and build your query. I've forgotten the terms we used back in the 80's and 90's so forgive inaccuracies. Back to the topic at hand, our brain's book mark events. You know what I mean, it is in our favorite list. We can find it easy and we don't have to know many codes to find it. Young person comes into the room, we want to make a good impression so push the favorite list button. Out comes stories we have told for years that at one time made a good impression. Unfortunately we cleared our cookies last night and our short term memory deleted yesterdays conversation. Sometimes people delete their cookies in less than 5 minutes and new conversations can start every time you enter the room. Now the fact that they know who you are is a good sign, you have not been deleted out of history, only the temporary files were purged. So, another day comes and we still know who you are, but we hit that favorite list and out comes the same old story.

When I grew up back in the 50's and 60's, things seemed to be a lot simpler then. And good manners were very important. When you were dating, your never swore in front of your date or told off coloured jokes. And you always held the door open for a lady when she gets into the car or going into and out of a building. And so on. Good manners shows that a person has some class. And as far as growing older? Well, time went by so fast, I hardly noticed. LOL And things really don't change that much. And do I have any regrets? Not one.

Nothing offensive here.

1. My generation were certainly more polite than the youth of today.

Although I was brought up in a `rough' part of Glasgow I was encouraged to hold doors open for females, be courteous to my elders etc.

Unemployment was practically nil and I can remember factories with notices outside informing of present vacancies.

2. Growing old can have health issues, therefore be advised now, take care of your body.

As for relationships, there are many now and in the past.

Friends come and friends go.

Everyday life was more demanding in as much as we didn't have the luxury items we have today.

In saying that, we were fitter because of it.

Thinking back, I cannot recall very many obese people.

3. Regrets? In the words of Frank Sinatra "I've had a few" the most important of which was refusing the opportunity to go to college.

Enjoy your life now and enjoy your later years.

I grew up in the 50's and 60's I wouldn't trade those times for anything. My generation we were respectful to everyone. I went to boarding school till I was 18 I wore bobby socks (no poodle skirts) saddle shoes, listened to rock and roll, the music was 45 records or a transistor radio, dated. You asked what is it like growing old, I am 65 God I can hardly say it 65 one day I was 13, the next I was 16, 18, and 21 those days went just like that. So believe me when I say it or you hear it from anyone else ENJOY every single moment it goes fast.

No, your question is fine, it's nice that you're interested. Well, for one thing my dad went to war when I was 1 year old and died in a Japanese prison camp so I don't even remember him.He was in the Royal Air Force and his troopship was torpedoed by the Japanese and he was captured. This did not affect me then as I was too young to remember but it makes me profoundly sad now.I wish I had known him.

My mum married again after the war and we went from living with my Grandma who adored me to living with this stranger, my stepdad, who did not.

People never explained to children what was happening then.

Growing up in the Fifties was great, though. After the long years of going without, during the "2nd World War, everything was new and colourful and the Future was ours.We were the first "teenagers", with our own fashions and music, like Elvis, Eddie Cochrane, Buddy Holly,Jerry Lee Lewis, etc.

Every Saturday I would go downtown and buy the latest record and a new sweater or pair of high heels.Saturday night we went dancing, jiving to live bands, not records.Nobody had their own car so you had to get the last bus home after some furious 'necking' at the bus stop!

There was a certainty about life and an order, which gave us security.I went to the Coronation of our new, young Queen and we were the "New Elizabethans". There was a huge air of optimism and the feeling that anything was possible, before the paranoia and fear of the Cold War years of the 60s.

Nobody went to University unless they were rich and girls got a job until they married, when they left work to be a full-time 'housewife'.With no labour-saving devices, such as washing-machines, dishwashers etc., looking after a house and family was a full-time job, however.Your greatest fear was being 'left on the shelf' and that no one would want to marry you. (How pathetic was that!)

We knew nothing of life and I was a virgin when I got married, to a soldier, at 21.

That was the other thing that was so different, for boys. Here, in Britain, every young man had to do 2 years in the Armed Forces, the only exceptions were guys who worked in 'essential professions' like mining or farming.For most of them it meant their first experience of travelling abroad as people spent holidays at home then.

Growing older is fine.Married twice, with two grown-up kids I am enjoying my freedom. Retired from teaching, I live alone and love it! I don't have to do anything I don't want to do. If I'm at the beach I don't have to rush home to cook anyone's dinner, I can please myself. At 70 I still get 'chatted up' by younger men and I enjoy my life.

Anyone who doesn't have regrets at my age is either self-delusional or a fool, but you learn to accept them and learn from them.

I find the young people today to be thoughtful, kind and caring, so don't worry. Life at this end of Life is just great!!!

Think we had more respect for our elders. To grow older sucks. It's the only way I can put it. Always going to see doctors and having to stay in the hospital for long periods of time. Relationship with wife is great. She has put up with me fo 46 years. I don't really have any regrets, except that I would have liked to have had better health.