Mrs Old Fart

When on vacation a few weeks back, I was pulled over for a burnt out tail light. After he looked thru my documents, he pointed out my proof of insurance was expired…I had meant to put the new one in the glove box and forgotten before we left on our trip.

He could have written me a ticket on either item, but instead simply handed the paperwork back to me, and said to me (and honey)

 

 

“You folks have a safe trip, and try to get that light fixed soon.”

 

Honey said we lucked out; he just was a nice guy.

Today while sitting at a traffic light in (duh) traffic, my blackberry started buzzing, so I checked my email. As I was reading the email, I heard a motorcycle coming up between cars, and looked up to see a motorcycle cop sternly looking at me, blackberry in hand, he smiled  and says “Don’t do that..”

 I tossed it back into my bag.

After the light changed and he roared away, I merged over and went on my way home. On the drive, I thought about this, and how different an experience it was, these two encounters with the law, from when I was say in my 20’s.

 I know at least twice back then I got pulled over purely so the guy could talk to me…the other times were because I was, well, a lead foot. I drove my VW like it was a sports car...although I didn’t always get a ticket.

So what has changed, beside the fact that I no longer drive like a maniac? Well, the cops have gone thru more people oriented police training, or …and then it hit me.

Both cops were probably between 25 and 35. I am old enough to be…their mother??? They let me slide because they see mom when they talk to me? 

Then there was that park ranger in Oregon, a woman I surmised to be no spring chicken herself, offering me the senior discount on park admission, “Because you are 62, aren’t you?”

I know sometimes I look like hell, but come on; I am a good half decade plus from 62…

Oh, I know I need to accept this. I look around when out and about, and the majority of people seem younger than me. Seems like that just happened overnight

Makes that whole saying about youth being wasted on the young make sense.

I guess I qualify for Mrs. Old fart... I am married to one