An Invitation I'd Sooner Decline - revised

Look what came in the mail today....

...and you wonder why I'm obsessing about turning 50?!

So, I actually opened the envelope to see what AARP was selling. American Association for Retired Persons. I am not retired, nor hope to be so in the foreseeable future, but for the low price of $16 I get -

• 12 month membership in AARP (which means what?)
• 12 month membership for my spouse or partner (Ron will be thrilled!)
• Award-winning AARP The Magazine - World's largest circulation magazine (a friend tells me there are interesting articles in it)
• Access to exclusive products: health insurance, dental coverage, eye care, pharmacy. (I have all this, but I think it would be great for people that don't already have it)
• 10 issues of the AARP Bulletin Newspaper (more stuff that I won't have time to read)
• Access to discounts on hotels, car rentals, cruises, home security, cell phone service, and more. (add discounts for restaurants and movies and I would overnight my check!)
• Representation in Washington and all 50 states. Fighting age discrimination, protecting pension rights, Social Security, Medicare. (Hmmmmm....)

I am not against any of this for people...I am against the idea that someone outside my family and friends KNOW that I am almost 50. How do they KNOW?

I hope my friend Harriet won't mind me adding what she had to say on the matter..."Funny how folks react. It's been 10 years since I got my letter and card and it has been just fine. Being young at mind and heart has no number. So much of society focuses on the youth it feels great to be recognized as a more mature adult (remember how we couldn't wait to grow up). The worry of getting older contributes to stress (don't we have enough)? I say enjoy the discounts and offers available to members. We deserve something for that right of passage."

Well said, Harriet. I need to quit being so sensitive. Shut up and grow up, huh?