I am soooooooo depressed after reading this.  I have had a terrible struggle lately in coming to terms with aging.  I have the mind of a twenty-something, but life keeps slapping me in the face to remind me of how I am physically aging.  For example, one afternoon, after a fairly enjoyable (or maybe I should say ego-soothing) shopping spree in Ross, I went to check out at the register.  As the cashier non-challantly, and without eye contact, rang my merchandise through, she casually asked if I were familiar with the Tuesday discount Ross offered.  I said no, whereupon she began to explain (in a voice for all to hear, of course) that people over 55 could receive a discount of (I think it was 10%) on merchandise purchased on Tuesdays.  Shocked, I replied that I wasn't over 55.  In fact, I'm not even 55 yet!  To add insult to injury, the cashier replied, "Well, it's so hard to tell.  My mother is 50 (I'm 51), and she looks like she's 30."  My ego deflated, it took all of the joy out of my newfound purchases.  I also like to dance, but when I go out lately only the oldest men ask me to dance.  I don't even get a glance from men my own age, who seem to forget they may have looked like Adonis at one time, but unlike him, they've grown pot bellies and turned bald.  Somehow, though, that is "excused" or overlooked, apparently with society's blessing.  Anyway, the last man I danced with was old enough to be an old father to me, and it was like dancing with the skeletal remains from "Dawn of the Dead".  Surely I am not to be placed in this category as well - not already!  I must have at least thirty good years left.  Am I to be looked at as though I am already 80 years old?  It seems the stores feel that way, as clothing in the misses and women's departments seemed to be geared for one, lumped-together group, those aged 40 and up!   

What a marvelous writer you are...when is the novel coming out? I too feel much younger than I am until I look in the mirror, or worse, see a photo and realize that suntans I once coveted have left their mark in the quize of brown spots on my face. It can be a real crusher....