How foolish we are when we’re young, ignorant of the eventuality that, one day, we’ll be old.
As a young man, nothing held me back physically. In fact, I had a warped sense about people who were sick or unhealthy; almost a feeling of scorn for them.
Time was an unkind disciplinarian. It erased any kind of vanity I had.
I’m only 52. Not exactly old, in my opinion.
But age, as we know, is relative depending on who is judging it. To my students, I am definitely old. To my fellow teachers who are 20 years younger, I am possibly retired.
Growing up, I never looked my age. I always looked younger. I was 32 the last time I was asked to show my I.D. in a bar. Those were the days when I wished I looked older.
But, five years ago, things started to change. Time played a cruel trick again. I gained wrinkles and lost hair. At 47, I suddenly looked my age.
I still felt healthy, though. I still exercised regularly and slept well and rarely got sick.
Then, a month ago, I was confronted with a health issue and I had to have surgery. I had to take time off work for rehabilitation.
For the first time in my life I was hooked up to a catheter. I don’t recommend it. I creak around as if I’m the most fragile person in the world and that if I bump into something, I’ll shatter into 1000 pieces.
I never ever thought this day would come but not only do I look 10 years older, I now feel 10 years older.
I am working sporadically but this is another eye-opening experience. You see, I am a substitute teacher who is well-known at two schools. The staff at these schools like me as a teacher and book me for jobs regularly. My health issue caused me to cancel jobs and block myself from other jobs. The teachers hired in my place are younger, healthier, more vibrant.
First of all, I am glad that new teachers are being given jobs. They are the ones who are starting their careers. Some of them are probably starting families. They certainly need the money more than the dinosaurs who won’t leave the system.
On the other hand, I feel like an old whore passed over for the younger, prettier whore who can offer more.
2016 has got to get better than this.
As a young man, nothing held me back physically. In fact, I had a warped sense about people who were sick or unhealthy; almost a feeling of scorn for them.
Time was an unkind disciplinarian. It erased any kind of vanity I had.
I’m only 52. Not exactly old, in my opinion.
But age, as we know, is relative depending on who is judging it. To my students, I am definitely old. To my fellow teachers who are 20 years younger, I am possibly retired.
Growing up, I never looked my age. I always looked younger. I was 32 the last time I was asked to show my I.D. in a bar. Those were the days when I wished I looked older.
But, five years ago, things started to change. Time played a cruel trick again. I gained wrinkles and lost hair. At 47, I suddenly looked my age.
I still felt healthy, though. I still exercised regularly and slept well and rarely got sick.
Then, a month ago, I was confronted with a health issue and I had to have surgery. I had to take time off work for rehabilitation.
For the first time in my life I was hooked up to a catheter. I don’t recommend it. I creak around as if I’m the most fragile person in the world and that if I bump into something, I’ll shatter into 1000 pieces.
I never ever thought this day would come but not only do I look 10 years older, I now feel 10 years older.
I am working sporadically but this is another eye-opening experience. You see, I am a substitute teacher who is well-known at two schools. The staff at these schools like me as a teacher and book me for jobs regularly. My health issue caused me to cancel jobs and block myself from other jobs. The teachers hired in my place are younger, healthier, more vibrant.
First of all, I am glad that new teachers are being given jobs. They are the ones who are starting their careers. Some of them are probably starting families. They certainly need the money more than the dinosaurs who won’t leave the system.
On the other hand, I feel like an old whore passed over for the younger, prettier whore who can offer more.
2016 has got to get better than this.