I was speaking to my oldest nephew on the phone the other day when the youngest one, who’s almost 5, shouted into the phone “Auntie Brooke, you’re a grandma!” I laughed and said, “That’s fine I’ll be a grandma, older people get to say and do what they want without reprimand.” Remember when I told you all last year he said I was ancient? Well clearly his thoughts haven’t changed. Refer to my story called “Age” to refresh your memory. He’s had a smart ass mouth since he learned to speak and I encourage his freedom of expression as long as it isn’t harmful to himself or others. So when he said that, I just wondered has he seen the 8 silver hairs that seem to be strategically placed on the top part of my head? Has he heard the sound of my bones cracking like pop rocks every 15 minutes? I can assuredly say he has not paid attention to these details ever. He says I’m old because well...I’m 30 years older than him! I’m the Tyrannosaurus Rex to his Paw Patrol.

Honestly, I can’t wait until my hair is a complete glistening silver mane; until to get my AARP card, until women allow me to skip ahead of them in line in a public restroom or until I get in free to places or deep discounts just for being over the age of 70. But the ultimate satisfaction of becoming elderly is I’ll get to say whatever I want and afterward just shrug and say “ahh I’m old” because I earned that right and I dare anyone to test me. How liberating it must be to never have to truly apologize for cursing in front of whomever; having your family do your bidding, wait on you hand and foot and travel without limitations. All of those things as well as basically reciting an entire monologue about an event when you were younger without interruption are just little gems of what I can look forward to.

But I also understand all the aches and pains that come with getting older such as health risks, the ongoing government issues surrounding Social Security, people not acknowledging you because of your age, knowing that as you age so do your friends and family- which could bring on morbid thoughts. Even with the comprehension of these aspects and much more that comes with growing older, I get excited for what’s ahead. I know I’ll continue to drink lots of water, pray without ceasing, read daily, exercise regularly, practice yoga, eat healthily, smile, laugh and be playful for the rest of my life because that is what makes me, me- it’s in my DNA. You grow old once you stop playing not vice versa.

The famous colloquialism states “You’re only as old as you feel”, therefore I’m preparing to feel as good as I do in my 30’s when I’m in my 80’s. So to my youngest nephew, laugh now and get your strength up, because you’ll be crying later as you run my errands while I’m out having fun being old and doing grandma things.

Just here, practicing my Grandma looks.

I've been working around young women in their early to mid-twenties the past few months. Many of them just graduated from college and/or still lived with their parents who made their lunches- side note: mom, I know you're in Florida, but I would love for you to send several vegetarian/vegan meals for my lunches so I wouldn't have to take the time- thanks in advance. Most of our conversations involved pop culture, music and of course fashion- basically a one sheet of topics. I enjoyed being around them, all of the young ladies have amazing personalities. One day a conversation about previous job experiences led to discussing age. After they spoke about their first jobs (for some they were at it) when the question came to me, I let them know mine was many years ago. They were shocked, thinking I may have been referring to an internship, but I wasn't. They proceeded to ask how old I was, so I said in my 30's and their jaws dropped. Out of their disbelief, they told me there's no way I could be "that old", they assumed I was around their age- but you know what they say about assuming right? I didn't understand why they couldn't grasp their mind around it...I didn't say mid 50's. But I get it, one of my nephews who is 4, thinks I'm ancient and when I was in my early 20's anyone above 30 was old to me as well. I mean what could I respond back with other than, "black don't crack, it's the melanin baby"! I proceeded to tell them that I take care of my skin, I'm conscious of the food I eat, I don't smoke cigarettes, I workout, pray and meditate not much more to it than that.

It's interesting when people can't place you in a box they become overzealous with trying to figure out why. There's no mystery, we can be different and it's okay to accept it and leave it. The age talks started to become obsessive. I essentially wanted to take a page out of my friends Weeza and Rashawn's books and speak around it or channel my inner Aaliyah and say "Age Ain't Nothin' But A Number". I was even called a vampire...a VAMPIRE! I love vampire movies so, actually being called one by a girl was funny, I wasn't even slightly offended. I told myself I'll be the fiercest vampire since Angela Bassett in "A Vampire in Brooklyn"- because who wouldn't? Age has not ever played a factor in my life and I don't see it becoming one. I hope you all feel that way too. Don't ever let the opinions of others make you feel awkward, it's their hang-up, not yours. So I say, be you, be true and vamp on!

This was Angela Bassett in, "A Vampire in Brooklyn", the movie came out in 1995. Look at a picture of her now and she looks exactly the same! Flawless.