Suddenly I am feeling old

Well done Floria. You sound amazing with all the things you do. I think if parents have always been very involved and capable our children just don't realise we are getting a bit older. I am sure they really appreciate all you do but just don't think to tell you . Remember to take some time for yourself .

I get dear in the shops now, and I am 64. I feel like screaming at them, but of course I say nothing. I don't feel like " Dear" I feel fine, apart from first thing in the morning, but once the Rigor Mortis wears off I am off like a shot. I overtake everyone when walking down to the shops, even the young ones, just cannot walk slowly.

I am slim, wear jeans, must be the face . As I said on the make up thread. I need a paper bag over it ..oh well the Dog still loves me

Thank you all for your thoughts. MawBroon (just love your username!) you are right of course. I will just "dust myself off" and Get on With It. It is usually me who is the one full of ideas and suggestions. I always. support and encourage (when asked for of course) friends and family. I am always busy and have lots of projects and plans on the go. In fact anyone who knows me would, I think, not believe it was me reading my original posting. I am very conscious that we are alive and for the most part feel well, acknowledging that many others have not been so lucky. I have just been feeling a bit sorry for myself lately (snap out of it!). I am happily "there" for other people but realise no one EVER asks how I am. Entertaining, looking after grandson plus a poorly husband goes unnoticed as I appear to be a very capable person. I will buy that new lippy and blusher and crack on! Thanks again.

The last two times I got the train to mums I was offered help carrying my case up the steps over to the other platform. I'm 63 but thought I looked younger!

Yes I sympathise with you I'm 65, then I think lots would like to change places with me, come back to life with a few wrinkles, aches and pains instead of being dead.

I got a 'darling' from a check-out lady the other day! I suppose it should bother me, but life's too short to upset people who are just being - by their own standards - kindly.

Suddenly shop assistants are calling me dear. I hate it, especially when they are younger than my sons. I notice that they don't call anyone under 60 'dear' so it's definitely ageist. I would look ridiculous if I said "please don't patronise me" so I let it go. Is it just me? Does anyone else have an elegant way of dealing with this?

No of course you are not - and even if you were (less of the "old") you would have earned the right!
Ageing does seem to come in spurts, doesn't it! Pics of me 2 years ago (which I hated at the time) now look perfectly acceptable. Things I did quite happily 2 or 3 years ago now look "challenging"! I have just turned 69 and am not bothered so much by the number but the gradual erosion of some of my faculties AND confidence.
Shop assistant call me "my dear" not Madam, my heels languish in the wardrobe because I can no longer walk in them, my jaw sags and droops and frankly I would rather not have mirrors in the house. I too have a poorly DH and get sad when the DDs do not necessarily seem to be supportive (I am sure they mean to and are great in a crisis) but just an awareness of the drain on my energy would be appreciated.
So what to do?
Join the club
Do not put your glasses on until you have finished in the bathroom/bedroom
Treat yourself to a new lippy/necklace/scarf /jeans/pair of funky trainers (or all of them)
Remember to use blusher
Have lunch with a friend and drink too much (taxi or lift)
Say sod it every so often and sit down with a new book

Been there, doing it and actually in awe of all you are doing!