I Didn't Know You Were A Grown-Up

[xakara]

When you're a 5'3" (and 3/4 I might add) woman of color who doesn't take anyone's crap it can be hard to reconcile being considered cute. It can make you down right testy. Fortunately, around the time I fully acquired my Zen-Vibe, I made peace with the gods of Cute and fully accepted the gift they bestowed upon me (and babies and puppies to boot). But along with gifts from the gods of Cute, I've been blessed by the gods of Youth.

I've had telemarketers ask me if an adult was home, and had co-workers demand my ID upon learning my age. It's flattering and with my mom and grandma as indicators, it's something that's going to last. But I have to admit that I've always felt others were exaggerating. It's hard to look at my face, knowing my own age, and not "see" it as obvious. Well, I now surrender to the gods of Youth and proclaim that it shall be sometime before I get to bask in the authoritarian air of age, and I'm okay with that. What brought about this new peace? I'll tell you.

After a very busy and stressed day, it was a relaxing thought to sit in silence on the bus stop with a small hot chocolate and sugar cookie from the bookstore. Turned out that it wasn't so silent. A (very) young couple and their three kids were there waiting for another bus. After much detail sharing (and the sharing of the sprinkle-covered sugar cookie with all three children), my conversation with the eldest child (6) went like this. 

Child: "Are you getting on our bus?"
Me: "I don't know. Do you know which bus you're getting on."
Child. "The next one that's coming. Is your bus coming soon?"
Me: "I hope so, I'm tired."
Child: "Are you going home now?"
Me: "Yep, I've been at work aaalll day. It's time to go home."
Child: "You were at work? For real?" Whispered in wonder. "Wow. I didn't know you were a grown-up." 

When your 6 practically everybody over 12 is a grown-up. In the face of that what can you do but make peace and move on. And how lucky am I that peace was delivered with the most hilarious comment I've heard in who knows how long? Yay for peace!

"Yes, I really Am A Grow-Up" Ramble Done

~X

P.S. My mom is doing MUCH better and may even be able to go home on Thursday if all stays well. Thanks so much for your thoughts and prayers.

Comments

[queenoftheskies.livejournal.com]

Wow. I can see how that could become very annoying.

Hopefully, when you're much older, though, looking young will be a blessing.

I hope your mom continues to improve and can go home on Thursday.

[xakara.livejournal.com]

She was so cute and so earnest, I had to just take it and live in the laughter of it. But yes, it used to be very annoying. I felt condescended to when treated as some kid. But I'm over it. She was my little catalyst. ;)

::HUGS::

[i-amsherlocked.livejournal.com]

LOL...I get that too (5'2" but not so thin anymore! LOL)

Re: ::HUGS::

[xakara.livejournal.com]

I've had so many versions of the cute/young thing, but never "I didn't know you were a grown up". That was a new one and all I could do was laugh with the Universe about it. *grin*

Re: ::HUGS::

[i-amsherlocked.livejournal.com]

I get it once in a while because I don't act very grown up!

[seaheidi.livejournal.com]

You know, I'd consider it a complement. People have started calling me Mam instead of Miss.

*Cries*

And if it makes you feel any better my son who is 5 thinks anyone who is playful and cool (like our 24 year old friend) is a "teenager"

I think kids have a radar for the young at heart. =)))

[xakara.livejournal.com]

I completely agree. We shared cookies and conversation and I kept her from falling off the bench as they climbed about and saved her younger brother when his leg got stuck. As far as she was concerned I was just another kid playing around, rather than "a grown up" complaining they were too loud or moving around too much. Kids definitely sense the patient/young at heart. ;)

Oh, and I get called ma'am too. But then I always have, probably due to region. The Midwest and now Southwest are very big on sir and ma'am even when talking to teenagers and children. I remember my 6th grade teacher always called us sir/ma'am or miss/mr to instill that in us with others. I do it to every age group to this day.

So trust me, it's not that you look older, you're just running into a more polite and respectful crowd. *grin*

[seaheidi.livejournal.com]

I hope that's the case!!

=)))

Glad you enjoyed the kidlets (and they enjoyed you)

[moondancerdrake.livejournal.com]

I can't lie, you are the cutest amazon I know. :) Yeah, as I get older the curse of youth bothers me less and less, though it's still odd when people I've know for years are so surprised to learn my age.

I am so glad your mom is better, send her our love.

[xakara.livejournal.com]

I've never minded looking young, it's being treated as young that's gotten old quick. And I don't even have to tell you about the short factor added into it. But I'm happy to have made peace with it in such an amusing way. :)

Keep your fingers crossed my mom gets to go home tomorrow.

[alanajoli.livejournal.com]

I'm 5'0", and while most kids recognize me for a grown up, most of the older patrons at my library assume that I'm a student intern from the high school--or at oldest, am in college. This, despite the wedding band and the fact that I've been working there almost three years...

[xakara.livejournal.com]

The eternal student look, I've got that too. The first question I get isn't "where do you work", but "what school do you go to?" At least they assume we're educated right? *grin*

[(Anonymous)]

You are a grown up? That just made me giggle. Once a few years ago after a softball game, the guy at 7/11 thought Bear was my little sister (a 26 year span??) and I was so thrilled...I am afraid no one would ever confuse me for anyone under errrr, 30? Which ain't bad since I am a smidge over that

Vix
http://vixensden.com

[xakara.livejournal.com]

Go guy from 7-11! If you were thrilled, I'm thrilled for you and you'll be a smidge over 30 for all time if you like. *grin*

(((Hugs)))