Five Signs You’re Getting Old (I Think)

I have discovered five unmistakable signs that you are getting old.

At least I think there were five.

I wrote them down somewhere.

1. You Can’t Sleep

When you’re young, you can sleep anywhere.

Floor. Couch. Back seat of a car.

At my age, I can have a comfortable bed, three pillows, perfect temperature and absolutely nothing scheduled for morning—and my brain announces:

“Charlie, this would be an excellent time to review every mistake you’ve made since 1967.”

Thank you, brain.

2. You Forget Things

I frequently walk into a room knowing exactly why I’m going there.

Then I arrive.

Apparently crossing the doorway erases the mission.

So I stand there looking around until I remember why I came.

Sometimes I don’t.

Then I leave.

Usually that’s when I remember.

3. Nostalgia

Everything was better when we were young.

Cars were better.

Music was better.

Hamburgers tasted better.

Gasoline was cheaper.

Of course, cars broke down more often, nobody had air conditioning, and a telephone was attached to the wall.

But don’t confuse me with facts.

I’m reminiscing.

4. You Repeat the Same Stories

Older people tell the same stories over and over.

Fortunately, I don’t do that.

Have I ever told you about when I was a pastor?

Or practicing law?

Or John Wimber?

Or the radio station?

Wait.

I have?

Well, you’re going to hear it again because this time I’m going to tell it correctly.

Besides, at my age there’s an advantage to forgetfulness:

Sometimes my old stories are new to me, too.

5. You’re Set in Your Ways

I am not set in my ways.

I simply know exactly how things should be done and see no compelling reason for anybody to change them.

There’s a difference.

I’ve spent 76 years developing these opinions.

I’m not throwing them away because somebody made a TikTok.

But here’s what I’m discovering about getting older:

Some things slow down.

Some things hurt.

Some things disappear.

And some things become clearer.

Today matters.

People matter.

Forgiveness matters.

God matters.

And sometimes getting older means finally becoming young enough to stop taking yourself so seriously.

Those are my five signs.

Unless there were six.

I’ll let you know when I remember.

—Charlie Wear

Charlie Wear’s Notes