Article February 14, 2000 Issue

Are you getting to be "that" age?

Let go of limitations.

By Judith Haugan Ryan

Recently a co-worker came into my office to update me on what had happened at work while I was away on vacation. After she finished describing the status of a variety of work projects, she shared the news that several co-workers faced potentially life-threatening illnesses. She concluded her conversation with the statement "I guess we're just getting to be that age."

I was impelled to reply, "You know, I think I'll just stay ageless and stageless." She looked at me in surprise and then commented, "Say, that's not a bad way to think about it. Actually, that's a pretty good idea." After she left, I asked myself what I had meant!

I started thinking more deeply about just what age is "that" age. Is it the "terrible two's," the challenging teenage years, years of midlife crises, or old age? All these ages and stages supposedly come with their own package of limitations on activity and ability or mental capacity and stability.

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