Getting Older....

I remember the day it happened… I was scanning through the radio on a recent road trip and heard a familiar Bon Jovi song. Naturally, I stopped and cranked the sucker up and sang .. Yea, screamed at the top of my lungs. Suddenly, I was back in my Levi Jeans, the ones with the very tapered legs, and black leather jacket, caught up in yesteryear, which really seems more like yesterday. Then it happened… the song ended, and the DJ belted out “You’re listening to 95 Classic Rock, your home for all the hits from yesterday.” I grabbed my chest, pulled over to the side of the road and cried like a little schoolgirl. Classic Rock? What the…? I was 18 like two days ago, and now my music is on classic rock radio? When did this happen? Who decides when music gets shuffled from the “hip and happening” stations to the “remember these guys radio”?
That was the day I realized it had happened, I was getting older and had slipped into that category that I was so sure I would never fall into. But wait a second…I was cool, I played guitar, people liked me, but apparently, as of today, I am outdated. Today I am Davy Jones.

I have also recently discovered that my hair is falling out. My kids pointed that out one day at breakfast. “Gee Dad, your forehead is getting bigger.. and shinier.” Thanks kids. I am facing the dilemma of cutting my hair super short and getting use to the idea, or doing the whole “grow the hair long in the back thing while I am going bald on top”. Kind of like a mullet with no spikiness in the upper regions. A genuine Mathew Ward do.

My wife just bought me a pair of Chuck Taylor’s Converse All-Stars. Had not worn a pair of those since I was 6 I think. My mom bought them for me, and they were very “orange”. I guess they were in style then because I don’t have any recollection of getting the crap beat out of me in grade school, so I asked for a pair for my birthday, since IHOP fashion says they are back in style. My attempt to stay cool I guess.

I hear the 20-somethings at IHOP making fun of the 80’s all the time. Maybe I am just to sensitive, but it seems they are waiting until I am around to make fun of something that they were barely alive for. Ya know, those little digs that imply that anything that was before their time is completely cheesy. Now that I think of it, when it comes to the 80’s they may be right. But I have to admit, it still hurts a tad. I have to fight that really mature part of me that wants to go “Oh yeah well MY DAD CAN BEAT UP YOUR DAD” type of banter. I hold back though, cause I am supposed to be an example of godliness.

So any of you 20-somethings out their reading this, take my advice. Go easy on those 10- 20 years older than you. Someday you will lose your hair, and your music will end up on classic rock stations and be labeled by your kids as “cheesy”. When that day happens, call me. I will laugh at you, but only for a minute. I will take you out for coffee, I will give you a hug and tell you “it’s gonna be alright, your life isn’t over and trust me you don’t want to be in your 20’s again. Be strong, keep your chin up and by the way, why are you still wearing those Chuck Taylor’s? They stopped being cool like 10 years ago!” ☺

Peace,

John