A few years ago I heard a Nobel Prize winner say that the only downside to winning the prestigious award is that your identity shifts.There is no more "Joe Blow". Forever after you will be known as "Nobel Prize Winner, Joe Blow." It will even be in your obituary and on your tombstone.
I was reminded of this last night when the evening news reported on the sad plight of an Elderly Woman who was kidnapped. She was my age. I've noticed that this is the norm whenever anyone of a certain age---which is probably ten years older than whoever is writing the story---does something newsworthy. Sometimes there are variations, such as "The Sixty-Three Year Old Grandmother" brought food to the Food Bank. Or, the Senior Citizen Bank Thief was caught as he limped away.
What I want to know is, why are we categorizing people this way? Why not report on A Quick-Witted Woman? A Round-faced Robber? A Fu-Manchu Moustache Man? Come on, people. Used your imagination!
(And, while I have your attention, please do not call me Young Lady. It's condescending and demeaning. You wouldn't say "Here's your change, Skinny," to a fat person would you?)
Alas, I know that after today I will be henceforth and forevermore known as an Elderly Lady. I know it's going to happen no matter what my mental age or outlook may be. I guess I'll take the perks that go along with it: senior discount at the restaurant, people holding the door for me when we both reach it at the same time, grandchildren willing to help me with my phone. And should I win the Nobel Prize for Literature some day, I will be known as "Elderly Nobel Prize Winner, Pat Carey". I'm good with that.
