What Growing Old Feels Like

An old man tells his grandson what it feels like to age:

“Have you ever been in a hot shower when the water ran cold? …

“That’s what aging feels like. In the beginning of your life it’s like you’re standing in a hot shower. At first the water is too warm, but you eventually grow used to the heat and begin enjoying it. But you take it for granted when you’re young and think it’s going to be this way forever. Life goes on like this for some time.

“And if you’re lucky, a few good looking women will join you in the shower from time to time.

“You begin to feel it in your forties and fifties. The water temperature declines just the slightest bit. It’s almost imperceptible, but you know it happened and you know what it means. You try to pretend like you didn’t feel it, but you still turn the faucet up to stay warm. But the water keeps going lukewarm. One day you realize the faucet can’t go any further, and from here on out the temperature begins to drop. And everyday you feel the warmth gradually leaving your body.

“It’s a rather helpless feeling, truth told. The water is still pleasant, but you know it will soon become cold and there’s nothing you can do about it. This is the point when some people decide to leave the shower on their own terms. They know it’s never going to get warmer, so why prolong the inevitable? I was able to stay in because I contented myself recalling the showers of my youth. I lived a good life, but still wish I hadn’t taken my youth for granted. But it’s too late now. No matter how hard I try, I know I’ll never get the hot water back on again.

“And that’s what it feels like to grow old.”

Thread and photos here http://np.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/2kzpwy/what_do_you_strongly_believe_in/clq4aow


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One response to “What Growing Old Feels Like”

  1. phiam Avatar

    As I understand it..as we age men get colder and women get hot flashes. It’s the inversion of testosterone and the effects on your blood pressure.

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