How young do you feel?

[Danno]

The concept of age is something I rarely think about. Every day above ground is a good one.

Some of us began a discussion on police work the other day. It brought home the fact I have been "on the job" for 34 years. I have been working longer that the rest of my squad has been on this earth. The closest in age is my partner Louis. He was 2 months old when I was initially sworn in.

The guys find it amusing that what they take for granted I have had to learn. All of them were born in the age of the internet, cell phones and digital everything. Sometimes I strive to keep up and constantly bug ol Louie who is a patient soul.

Injuries sustained in my career as well as my military days have now compounded leaving me stiff, sore, and grateful to be alive. Living where I do helps tremendously. Folks marvel that I survived some of the things that happened to me. I suppose I am doing well physically and mentally in spite of the "trauma". I put trauma in quotes as I have never seen it that way. It was part of the job, part of what I signed on for.

It was also part of His plan, and I give thanks every day.

I have had front row seats to the greatest show on earth and I don't plan on leaving the tent any time soon.

G

G. We absolutely must be brothers from different mothers, or, two pours from the same mold, ole buddy. Your post stated precisely exactly how I view the question, the 'issue,' and the subject. Precisely. And, exactly. As though we've lived and worn the same life.

I guess that shouldn't be much of a surprise. Every time we compare notes, swap lies, and spin yarns . . . we both know the storylines and the punch lines. Amazing how similar the experiences of two dudes from different parts of the country.

But then, that's the whole thing about the Brotherhood . . .

[Agent G]

It don't matter who you are, where you're from, boy, girl, or in between, once you take that oath you all bleed blue.

That's why I like it, same as my beloved Marine Corps.

Semper Fidelis.

G

[JM485]

Right now I feel just like I am, 18. I'm worried that years of motocross and other extreme sport will catch up to me eventually though. I guess I must be a lot younger in the mind though because I still keep doing it all regardless of the concequences!

[Modelmartin]

Peers used to laugh at me when I was younger when I was watching what I ate. I always tried to keep it reasonably healthy and not go nuts on grease and sugar. At 57 I weigh 165 pounds at 5' 9". A few years ago I took up cycling and am averaging about 3000 miles a year. I feel great mentally and physically and feel like a kid on my bike.

Of course we all lose ourselves when we are at the model workbench and forget our worries and get all zen-like. I guess that engaging in kid's activities all my life has made me stay and feel young.

This spring I will have been married for 23 years. We didn't have kids and that keeps us younger, too. I hear that having kids ages you!!!

[Ace-Garageguy]

At 57 I weigh 165 pounds at 5' 9". A few years ago I took up cycling and am averaging about 3000 miles a year. I feel great mentally and physically and feel like a kid on my bike.

Wow, I'm impressed. I'm your height but about 20 pounds heavier.

Still, I'm in pretty decent shape and get my comparable exercise hiking as much as time permits. Regular continuous aerobic exercise, and having maintained a lifestyle that requires me to move and stretch constantly when working are what I credit most for my feeling comparatively young.

Just like a parked car that deteriorates quicker than one that's being used and maintained well, human bodies and brains need frequent use and decent maintenance to stay functioning as-designed.

[Agent G]

Josh I found that all the little injuries over the years compounded as I got older. Granted I've been shot, twice, but neither time was it that serious, at least to me. Then again I'm considered crazy, ask Danno and Jonathan.

Andy I have two sons, a daughter, two step sons and between them three granddaughters and a grandson. Never once did I feel like raising them detracted from my life one little bit. Oh sure we had sleepless nights and anxiety over milestone events. Then there was the fear when the oldest boy served as a Hospital Corpsman in Desert Storm attached to a Marine infantry unit. It can cause anxiety at the time, but that which doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

G

[MachinistMark]

Old. Very very old these past few weeks.

[A.R.C.]

What a great picture Slusher. It pretty much sums up how I approach life, which I get from my Mom. At 83 she`s still a fireball and I can only hope I`m as active as she is when I`m her age. My Dad on the other hand...sadly he lives by the saying "Im too old to be doing stuff like that", and it shows in the way they have aged.

Last year on my 46th birthday she says, "Your gonna be 50 pretty soon, you`re getting to be an old bugger." I told her "Back off old woman I`m twice your size and I`m pretty sure I can take you." to which she replied, "You better be dam sure of that before you start something kid." She`s my hero and inspiration for not only growing older but just plain perservering when the going gets tough.

I`ve always lived by the saying, "Growing older is something I have to do, growing up isn`t ", and honestly I feel that that living by that saying works because I dont feel 46 at all, sometimes I stop and think to myself "dam, Im 46!......whatever". I feel more like an 18 year old with brains, ambition and a slightly higher level of maturity.

[Tom Geiger]

Old Man: (feebly) I'm not dead!
Cart-master: (suprised) What?
Old Man: I'm not dead!
Cart-master: 'Ere! 'E says 'e's not dead!
Man: Yes he is.
Old Man: I'm not!
Cart-master: 'E isn't?
Man: Well... he will be soon-- he's very ill...
Old Man: I'm getting better!
Man: No you're not, you'll be stone dead in a moment.
Cart-master: I can't take 'im like that! It's against regulations!
Old Man: I don't want to go on the cart....
Man: Oh, don't be such a baby.
Cart-master: I can't take 'im....
Old Man: I feel fine!
Man: Well, do us a favor...
Cart-master: I can't!
Man: Can you hang around a couple of minutes? He won't be long...
Cart-master: No, gotta get to Robinson's, they lost nine today.
Man: Well, when's your next round?
Cart-master: Thursday.
Old Man: I think I'll go for a walk....
Man: You're not fooling anyone, you know--
Old Man: I feel happy! I feel happy!