As I drove to work yesterday in my little car, sun shining and ipod playing I was thinking how lovely it is to be 'quite old'. The music on my ipod has all been chosen by me, old favourites dating back as far as I can remember, many would say a bit 'cheesy' but for the first time in my life there is nothing there influenced by men in my life, by what I think should be on there, by what is trendy etc, just plain old stuff that makes me smile, however naff it might be. I am lucky that the aches, pains and illnesses haven't got to me yet but meanwhile I realised just how happy I am in my own skin for the first time since I was a young child.
As for people offering seats etc., for years we have treated our elders with the respect we were brought up to, I find that so many niceties seem to have disappeared by the time it is our turn to be on the receiving end that I feel honoured if someone has nice manners towards me and even if I refuse their kind offer try to be as gracious as possible. Some years ago, I was walking with friends in Bath and some boys were playing on skateboards in the town centre a bit dangerously. As I walked by, one of the boys shouted to another, "Mind that old lady!". I don't think I had even had my 50th birthday at the time, my friends - all older than me, found it hilarious

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