Just been made to feel I have one foot in the grave

When he was 6 my now 8 year old DGS seemed to take every opportunity to tell me "I was going to die you know". Apparently that's what happens when you are old. He even pointed out a cemetery as the place you go when you are dead. I was 70 then. He does seem to have outgrown the habit or perhaps the new face cream is working!

Willow10 - that made me giggle!

My entire family joke about 'me and my waterworks' - combined with my dodgy knees, it makes for some very hilarious sudden trips to the loo ;-). They ask me if I need to borrow one of those motorised scooters in the supermarkets and I usually reply 'Yes please, so I can run you over!'

I also get asked if I need the loo before leaving the house or when we've been for coffee somewhere.

A similar thing happened to me four or five years ago; I was no more than 64 at the time. A friend and I spent the day walking in London when we got back to the terminus at Waterloo a young woman jumped up and offered me her seat. Lovely of her but I was so embarrassed especially as I’m younger than my friend. She was kind about it but couldn't resist a little self-congratulation.

both of us of similar age on a busy bus in London, standing room only, my OH gets offered a seat which he declined so the young man sat down again. I thought it was funny, OH was mortified that I wasn’t offered the seat.

It’s possible the lady who offered you her crutch was more aware of people struggling to get up than someone else who was healthy so it might not be apparent to everyone, just she was more sensitive.

It is difficult. I have had to start using a wheelchair when I go out ( for a different reason) and have great difficulty getting used to it.

I always think I look young for my age (78). I still have my original honey coloured hear and very few lines. I was in Waitrose last week when a little boy coming down the aisle towards me said "Let the old lady through first." I was brought down a few pegs, and I leaned towards him and said "Old ladies have white hair and I don't. So I am not old, am I?" We never change to ourselves, only to others.

When we had our bathrooms redone recently the workmen were in and out of the house for weeks. I thought I got on with them quite well joking and having some fun.

One afternoon I had gone for a nap and they came into the bedroom not knowing I was there. One of the men then went to apologise to my husband saying 'I didn't realise the OLD DEAR was asleep'. I was torn between being mad, mortified and thinking it funny.

We don't see ourselves as others do.

Yes I agree with your last sentence Kandinsky it's good to know there are still kind and courteous people around,

In the good old days men would offer women a seat on the bus regardless of age, open doors too.
I think feminism put a stop to that
Op: & others. Be glad there are kind & thoughtful people still around.

Welcome back Maw! And you certainly don't look your age!

If someone kindly offers me a seat or opens the door for me then I always smile sweetly and thank them. I don`t often need these kind gestures but it is heartwarming to know that chivalry is not dead

What I do hate is people speaking down to me at the supermarket. I have a very active astute brain which belies my appearance, again I smile sweetly and let it go. It will happen to them one day

Out shopping with my granddaughter recently she asked me - TWICE - if I needed the toilet! I pulled a face the second time and she said ' Just checking Nan! And if you don't behave yourself I'll make you sit in the trolley!' I'm just hoping she got me mixed up with her 16 month old son - not that she thinks I'm going back to my second childhood.

Oh dear! Guess she thought that she was being helpful.

We were going into town. We don't just meet at random bus stops!

I met my friend at the bus stop yesterday. She was already there and sitting down in the bus shelter. All the seats were taken so I was standing up chatting to her. The young lady who was sitting next to her offered me her seat. I told myself it was because she thought I would be more comfortable sitting next to my friend chatting.

Kindness can only have one impact surely?

I just think people dont always think of the impact they are having on others good or bad.

I am always offered a seat on the underground and usually also on London buses.
I think I look a youthful enough 71, but do have completely silver hair.
I accept gracefully (and gratefully) with thanks!

I think that people just take it as par for the course when the elderly are seen at the hospital whether accompanying someone or not.

Perhaps you got up from your chair and looked a like it was a bit of an effort due to the stiff hip.
I really wouldn't worry about it too much.
Last time I visited my sister her lovely dog sat on my lap for two hours. When I got out from under my stiff hip gave me a bit of gyp and I found it tricky to straighten up. As I'd walked instead of taking the car BIL insisted on giving me a lift in the car. Now that me me feel a bit decrepit!