Picturing old people back when they were young

Something that I've always enjoyed doing is picturing old people back when they were young. I mean, everyone used to be young, right? No one is born old, although there seems to be people who seem to be that way.

As I drift into my sixties (much older than I'd ever expected living), I still enjoy trying to picture the people that I meet at different ages. I can picture them younger, or older. I talked to a young woman at the QT yesterday who told me that she was having a baby, and I got to thinking how surprised and pleased her children, and grandchildren would be if they could have seen her back then, when she was young, if you follow me. This takes a bit of imagination, but if you have some, you can do it too.

Now calm down there, this isn't a judgement as to whether people are better older and wiser or younger and more foolish (although I guess you can read in a bit of it as I write this). I appreciate the wisdom that I've acquired over the years, but I still remember the first car I ever owned, when I was 18.

By the way, before I forget here, this ad is from the Duke University Library. They study historic advertising, and this is from the 1930s. My best guess about the people there is that they were in their early twenties (although everyone seems to look about twelve to me now!). Is he old enough to drive? Of course he is. I started driving at sixteen.


I used to go visit my parents at their 55+ trailer court (excuse me, mobile home community) and I would often see old couples (the age I am now) and would try to picture in my mind what they looked like many years ago. And I'd like to believe that when they look at each other that's what they see.

"All we could desire."

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