136 Comments
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Corey Gin's avatar

Wait, was this a humorous piece? Drat. I was taking copious notes, thinking I would get ahead of the game.

Corey Gin's avatar

Really, it was so right on. I live in a retirement community, probably the youngest person here, and I see and hear this all the time.

Sari Botton's avatar

Glad you enjoyed it!

Andrea Fisher's avatar

Ha ha!!!!! Love this comment!

Mary Madigan-Cassidy's avatar

Hilarious! Thanks for a good laugh on a Monday morning. And for reminding me of all the things I don’t want to do as I age. Although, my daughter and her husband did have their first child this past summer, and I admit to being guilty of taking out my phone to show random people the cutest baby ever born! Wouldn’t you like to see her picture? 😊❤️

Catherine Hiller's avatar

Delighted to provide a good laugh! And do show the pic!

Maggie Frost's avatar

This is a great article. I love the humor. And some of the stuff I do, I just turned 75 and it was like holding up a mirror. I never want to lose the ability to be able to laugh at myself. Some people never do that and I think it’s kind of sad.

Catherine Hiller's avatar

I agree, so let’s laugh on!

Mary Beth Spray's avatar

Loved this Catherine. I went through every paragraph laughing at the authenticity of each situation and sharing it with my husband. We have a sibling happy hour and we start with ailments and put a timer on it so we can get to grandchildren. Thanks for sharing.

Catherine Hiller's avatar

I love to picture you two laughing together! And a sibling happy hour sounds like a fine thing.

Dave Swan's avatar

16. Demand explanations from strangers for all the newfangled things you don't understand. "What the h*** is a Substack anyway?"

Catherine Hiller's avatar

An excellent addition! Demand is always made with Irritation.

Midlife Musings's avatar

I love this! Another truism about aging is the ability to laugh at ourselves and our situations. At 62, I find myself discussing all the topics mentioned as well as joint pain and eating dinner at 5pm. It all works…

Catherine Hiller's avatar

Let’s laugh on!

Michelle A. McKenzie's avatar

Oh what fun! And some truth in here. <wink>

Catherine Hiller's avatar

A lot of humor comes from rarely-admitted truth! It's the shock of recognition that often provokes laughter.

Istiaq Mian, MD's avatar

You are wise beyond your years Catherine ;) never heard anyone put it like that :)

Patricia Griffin's avatar

Delightful. Funny. You go girl. I'm 80.

Catherine Hiller's avatar

I can’t wait to be 80! Maybe then I’ll get some “elder respect”!

Patricia Griffin's avatar

Great

Jerry's avatar

The story of my life; so far, if I recall correctly.

Jennifer Covell's avatar

I love this. I’d send it to my mom, but her sense of humor left the building a few years ago and she’d probably be insulted.

Catherine Hiller's avatar

I don't know your mom, but it might be interesting to read it to her and see if it makes her laugh or if she thinks I'm being "mean." Either way, it's connection!

Sheila Callahan's avatar

Wait. You mean 70 isn’t middle aged?

Marianna Busching's avatar

At age 86, I enjoyed this a lot. And I'm still older than that 79-year-old. Ha!

Catherine Hiller's avatar

Yes, at a certain time, one's age is a point of pride. "I'm 86 (or 79) and look at me! I still do X!" It's the opposite of precocity. And comic, of course.

Amy Cuevas Schroeder's avatar

This is brilliant!

Catherine Hiller's avatar

So is your evaluation! Thank you.

Nancy Spiller's avatar

Finally—a self help guide for the best of us! I just shared on FB, would love to do also as a TikTok but waiting for my granddaughter’s phone to recharge so she can describe that process in greater detail. Thank you for this brilliant piece!

Catherine Hiller's avatar

Thanks for sharing it, Nancy. I hope your granddaughter comes to the rescue! I suppose I should share it myself, thanks for the reminder! I do love to make people laugh, so this one is fun to read aloud.

Nancy Spiller's avatar

This was a great discovery for me—I wasn’t previously aware of your work. But now I will subscribe to you and enjoy any further laughs you might offer!

Ann Faison's avatar

ha!

Maurice Carlos Ruffin's avatar

I know I'm old because I agreed with EVERY SINGLE POINT.

Catherine Hiller's avatar

That comment made me laugh aloud! I think humor often derives from the sudden recognition that we are ridiculous.

Maurice Carlos Ruffin's avatar

Thank you for a wonderful piece! I chuckled throughout.

Judith Frizlen's avatar

Love this! So funny and relatable. Just give ourselves permission to not pretend anymore and have a good time doing it!

Catherine Hiller's avatar

That's the spirit!