So I was watching television, and this commercial comes on. And it’s the same type of commercial I grew up watching. Visualize the mom with the young children. She’s looking into the camera with an apologetic smile. “I don’t always have time to cook. That’s why I love running down to the Grocery Guru and picking up something from the deli.”
I’m staring at her, watching her…thinking, she looks like someone I would’ve gone to high school with, but older. She’s got a few lines around the eyes, her expression is tired, and she dresses a little more conservative. Not long ago I used to look at this woman and put her in a certain category. Ages older than me, a woman who probably hadn’t been in a bar since the night she met her future husband there, a soccer mom who has lunch dates for a wild time.
But as I’m watching this commercial tonight, the woman didn’t seem so old. She seemed like me. Only she looked better than me. She’d lost the baby weight (yes, I know she’s just the actress, but work with me here), she wore makeup. She just looked like the perfect mom. I haven’t been in a bar in God knows how long. (I’m not counting Nationals, because that was with a bunch of intoxicated romance writers, and the only men in there quickly disappeared.)I buy dinner for me and the kid at the grocery deli all the time.
The older woman in the commercial isn’t the future me, it is the current me. I just want to know when the hell it happened, and how come it took me so long to realize it. Are there more people like me who still feel five years younger? Whether you have a kid or are married or not. And if you’ve had a kid–and seriously, some days I think ‘Oh yeah, I’m a mom’–somehow it doesn’t always sink in that you’ve become that pre-middle-aged mom standing in line at the deli.
One of your biggest clues? College kids now look like high school kids to you, and high school kids look like they’re still in sixth grade. Seriously…the commercial came on tonight and I literally stopped what I was doing and thought when did I become this woman? Tell me I’m not alone here.
ROFLMAO! No, you’re not alone. I’ve had some similar realizations lately. It was quite a shock! :o)
No kids yet, but I can attest that when my friend’s daughter got her driving permit a few months back, I was like, Whaaaahhh? But she’s a baby! Look at her! OMG!
I see kids driving and think whaaat? He’s old enough to DRIVE?? They look like babies!
Which means I’m getting old.
Great post!
All the kids look so young to me now but I know I look young too! Most people think I’m much younger than I am even though I do feel like the woman in the commercial.
I’m 40, I *am* middle aged!! Then I went on a date a couple weeks ago and we got caught making out in a parked car. Sheesh!! I think this is that midlife crisis thing everyone always talked about. lol
OMG Samantha, that’s hilarious!
Shelli- You aren’t old by any means! Give yourself a break already. :)
I’ve heard you’ll always feel the age you feel right now. That means in ten years, you’ll still feel 25, Shelli. I’ve always felt like I was about 32 — even when I was in high school. :D
Nope, not alone. How about I used to think my mom was OLD!!! I remember being so embarrassed that my mom was FORTY when all the other kids had YOUNGER moms.
I’m going to be thirty-nine this year.
It’s really bad when I see movie stars as leading men and feel like a dirty old woman for thinking they’re hot.
I, too, was embarrassed that my mother was soooo much older than everyone else’s mom. And now at *over* forty with two preschoolers. . . hmmmmm. . .guess she wasn’t so old after all.
Of course, by Friday night, I feel positively ancient!
And why the fuck is there a hair on my chin??
LOL Seeley. No Shelli…as all the previous posts state….you’re not alone. I remember when my Godson was born…and he’s in 11th grade now and I’m like…OMG…he’s going to be graduating high school next year. And my nieces and nephews have kids of their own. But I don’t “feel” old. I think as long as you don’t feel old…, then you’re not. I will continue to feel this way until someone makes me use a walker.
LOL - this was good! I’ve done the same exact thing!!!! I was able to bounce back pretty good after the first two kids but this third one… man I just don’t have the drive to do it - the exercising and such. And I KNOW it shows. I just stopped looking in mirrors. :) Well, almost! In my head I’m still the 23 year old who looked great when she married… the mirror says I look like the older woman though. :)
Cole
Absolutely. I am ever shocked lately as my friend’s children get married. As my cousin’s child goes to prom. As I pluck gray strands out of my hair, notice hair where its not supposed to be, see the wrinkles that weren’t there only yesterday. I definitely feel younger. But I am now the same age my mother was when I was ten years old. And I feel like I’m still figuring out how to be an adult.
It’s enough to make you cry. *sigh*
All of my friends are married with kids. I’m single as fuck with zil prospects. I don’t feel old yet, but I see it on the horizon.
At my age it’s pretty bad when you go to the doctor and you think; is he old enough to be a doctor?
Have a wonderful Mother’s Day!
*Sits down on the couch next to you*
I do not have a child who will be driving in three years. I’m still on the other side of thirty and *sigh*
I do not feel nearly 38 (take about 15 years off of that as a matter of fact)
LOL I’m so glad I’m not alone! And Mia, I’ve been thinking that about doctors for the last ten years!