I'm embarrassed to admit that I never got a degree from college. I married young and spent all of my adult years caring and raising children and also supporting my husband through his degree.
At the ripe old age of 38 and 3/4, I have decided to return to school. Believe me, there's nothing that says you are old when you have to listen to the conversations around you before and after classes. All conversations tend to center around parties, being drunk and/or being broke.
I sit there quietly listening and being thankful that I am not 21 again. I take comfort knowing that I am financially okay, I live in a nice house, I have great kids and a supportive husband. I feel much wiser and more confident than most of the other students around me. I've been around the block a time or two and I also feel I am more centered. I can study with a new enthusiasm. I can learn anything!
Last week as I was paying the parking attendant, the following conversation occurred:
Him: "Heeeyyy...."
Me: "Hi."
Him: "That will be $3.50......um.....I was wondering.....what are you doing tonight?"
Me: "Going home to my husband and 4 kids."
Him: (Incredulous)"You have four kids? You don't look old enough to have four kids."
Me: "Actually, I have five kids."
Him: "No Way. You are too hot to have 5 kids. What are their ages?"
Me: "21, 12, 10, 8 and 4"
Him: "Wow! You have a kid my age."
Me: "Uh huh....have a good night."
And I watched in my rear view mirror as he just stood there with his mouth hanging open. I'm sure he was quite disgusted to think he was picking up on an old person.
This week when I went to pay the parking attendant.....his attitude was very different.
Him: "Oh...hi."
Me: "Hi."
Him: "That will be $3.50"
Me: "There you go."
Him: "Have a good night.....um....Ma'am"
Yes, that's right. He called me Ma'am. A guaranteed "you are getting old" response.
He may just have to die a slow, painful death.
