Older and Younger Than Any of Us Think

There’s a person in my life who often says, “I’m not old!” Of course, I’m sure it’s me. But if life teaches me anything, there are physical attributes that prove I’m older than I think, even when the mind assures me I’m younger than everyone else thinks I am.

What happens when these two age ranges meet? Face to face? Some vagaries exist between the mind and the body – they are hard to reconcile with who I am today.

That’s the thought I have today.

Last weekend, an accident left me standing on the side of the road soaking up the shade from a power pole. Yes. I’m a shade hopper. But I was also feeling a little shell-shocked—muddled thinking and achy body. Through my driving years, I’ve been in several accidents, and for the most part, it’s been someone else’s fault. There have been no major injuries in all of them, and for that, I’m extremely grateful.

Car Safety Measures

My first major accident was in 1972, and back then, I was nearly 18 years old. Then, I was slammed from behind. They did not see me and were changing lanes when they walloped me and pushed me into the parking lot of a Jack in the Box. My front seat broke, and I stared at the ceiling as my car was pile-driven into the parking lot.

Of course, we also used the car at our wedding!

Presently? Someone pulled out in front of me, and I slammed them on their side. I’m sure both cars are totaled.

Back then, only lap seatbelts were coming into vogue. Today, seatbelts lock you in place, and I’m sure it kept the airbag from hitting my face. Some cars have side-facing airbags! Imagine a curtain of protection blasting open!

Well, back then? A 1971 Dodge Dart Swinger. Today? A 2011 Ford Flex. 40 years of car safety measures working to protect me!

Safety is a Growing Industry

In 1972, my Dodge only had lap belts for the front seat, and there may have been a law requiring their use, but what the authorities cannot see, well, we did not wear! Today, you can hardly start your car when the dinging bell tells the driver to put on your seatbelts…and it keeps getting more insistent the longer you try and get away with it.

My Dodge just fit into the new safety laws of the time.

“Effective on new passenger cars sold in the United States after January 1, 1964, front outboard lap belts were required. On September 9, 1966, the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act became law in the U.S., the first mandatory federal safety standards for motor vehicles.” [Source]

Back then? Well, some gas stations would install seatbelts, just as I remember Sears installing new flooring, seat fabrics, and aftermarket A/C in just about any car you owned!

Imagine a time when all dashboards were metal, and hard… I’m just saying. It’s better now!

Injuries

There is no comparison betwee accidents when it comes to injuries.

Why? Back then, I was young, just about finished with high school, and ready to face adulthood! No accident was going to slow me down. This past weekend? Well, I’m past my full retirement age! I’ve been creaking around the house attempting to prepare for family visiting from Texas. Back then? I was preparing for a school prom (or some such event), and I went to it regardless of the accident. Today? I had to miss church because I struggle standing up for very long.

I know how dangerous accidents can be, and I’ve helped out at a number of them when it’s been mayhem. Serious injuries, including deaths.

So, again, I’m grateful everyone has been safe. In 1972, and 2021.

Between Then and Now

Many miles have passed between back then and today, and many days, weeks, months, and years have been lived. Though I’m thankful for safer cars, we must realize most are not built to survive major accidents. Rather, they are built to protect the occupants.

My Dodge should have been totaled because of the cost of repairs. It just about equaled the $2,300 I spent on this one-year old sweet ride. Okay. Bright orange, white vinyl top, white bucket seats, console, AM radio, A/C, Automatic, and best of all? The 225 Slant Six power house and fuel efficient engine. In 1972, it only took about $4 to fill the gas tank! Today, that barely buys a gallon!

My modern-day Ford will probably be totaled because the cost to repair will be more than the car is worth. It costs over $1,000 to replace the airbag! Today, insurance companies balance the pro’s and con’s of where to spend their dollars on a claim. Once you start reparing a car, unseen items (supplements) will need to be addressed and who wants to keep throwing dollars at cars until the repair cost moves past their value?

It’s Getting Harder

It’s getting harder to justify the price of a new car. Before retirement began, we had business reasons to keep our cars moving safely between home, job, shopping, and church. My 2003 Dodge Ram (bought new when we moved here from Alaska) has nearly 350,000 miles. I bought it new for $33,000…today, it’s upwards of $70,000! The diesel engine is reported to last 1 million miles, and that’s my goal. Drive it until it can go no further. It’s getting close to 20 years old, and I’ve only spent about $3,000 in general repairs. This doesn’t count items that get replaced due to miles and years – tires, batteries, oil, wipers, etc. Keep a vehicle in tip-top shape, and it should last you for decades!

That’s what we were doing with our Ford Flex. It was 10+ years old, and we were maintaining it to last far into retirement. It was our go-to road car! My bride loved the heated seats, and that has become mandatory on any replacement vehicle! Lay all the back seats down, and a queen mattress will fit sleeping two comfortably! We know! It’s been done! With that same great open space, our dogs were trucked to the vets and other excursions. With the seats up, we’ve carried seven adults to destinations!

But in the end, it’s simply a vehicle to transport us from here to there. We want it to be dependable, safe, and cost-effective. Back then? A snazzy-looking car was the thing to have, and I had one…or two. Today? Well, let’s say my truck is my go-to vehicle, even with the seats starting to wear thin! Give it an annual car wash and let it shine for a day. Or two!

What Do you Think?

Think with me for a quick closing thought. My grandparents (the last one passed in 1993) saw the gambit of life from horse and buggy normality to horseless carriages. Technology changed dramatically – communication, travel, even space travel!

If you stay connected with the world around you and grow with it, you can reach later years happy with the thought that you are Younger than you think.

Pull a Rip Van Winkle? You are 20 years behind the curve! You will most probably never catch up!

My nearly 20-year-old truck needs a lot of technology to become what we accept as the normal car needs. I’ve updated the stereo to include satellite radio, Bluetooth technology, and the ability to plug a device in to hear sounds wafting from the high-tech 20-year old speakers! Oh, and I’ve had a backup camera installed to see what’s behind me when I put the truck into reverse. Neither are as good as factory installs, but they do get me close to the modern world.

When I age in place, then I’m locked out of possibilities. Left behind. Disconnected.

That’s true with most businesses, churches, and families. In thinking about the future, driverless cars and electric motors are becoming the norm.

What will it take for you to stay connected as the future stretches our vision? Are you willing and able to think younger as you move forward? I know I am!