gerascophobia

How exciting… today’s your birthday!

Thanks for issuing the gardyloo!

The what?

A warning — a reminder — to stay at home… hidden away!

But birthdays are fun, I’ll throw a party for you…

What a gleek! Don’t you dare make a squeak or tell a soul!

But why ever not? It’s no nasty joke nor even a trick…

It takes effort to stay wrinkle-free and trim — not to look old!

No need to be grum… let’s call some friends, they’ll cheer you up quick!

No thanks! “Forever Young”… that’s my theme song.

Surely age is just a number, who cares how long…

I think you’re wrong!

It’s the treasure inside that counts, not the wrapping paper we throw out.

You won’t change my mind… I have no doubt!

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gerascophobia: fear of growing old. (Clearly related to geriatric)

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Connection: I have long been fascinated by the lengths people go to in order to dodge the aging bullet! Some people especially abhor ‘0’ birthdays. One friend was so depressed because

It’s all downhill from 30!

Strangely, I seem blessed with some measure of immunity against this condition! Could it be because my first grey hair was discovered at the ripe old age of twenty? Whatever the reason, I firmly believe that age is just a number… just like any other number that falls instantly out of my mind.

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I wrote this in eager anticipation of Penny Fuller’s Part G: The A-Z of Unusual Words… which sadly seems to have fizzled.

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My previous A-Z Unusual Word story is below: