Is There Sex After 60? (Navigating Single Life After 60)

About two weeks ago I went on-line and I glanced at the possible positions that were being offered at a big, important, company.  I thought to myself, why not apply? So I took the time and filled out the application. At the end of the application I attached my resume and my cover letter. Actually, I had totally forgotten all about it until about a week and a half ago I received a phone call from the head of the company. She asked me when I was available for an interview. I chose a date and time. In the meantime I made copies of my resume and my professional references. I also gathered material from my past work experiences that might be of interest during my interview.

The morning of the interview I got up early to have some coffee and a small breakfast mainly to wake up and to have a bit of protein in my system as the interview was at 2:00 P.M. and I needed some food but not too much. I didn’t want my stomach to growl in the middle of the interview. The day before the interview I chose an outfit that I thought would be appropriate on a hot day in the middle of summer but still stylish. I washed clothes and hung them to dry. I also set out jewelry that would look nice with the outfit and I placed all of my papers and information in my briefcase. At 10:00 A.M. I took a shower and washed my hair.  I have grown my hair and it is long and thick so this takes time. I air-dried my hair, and set it and brushed it out … I decided to put a chips in each side to have a neat appearance and I brushed my hair into a low ponytail. I added gold hoops in my ears and light makeup on my face. Two sprays of perfume and I grabbed a Gucci purse and my briefcase. Left in plenty of time to get to my interview early. It was a good thing because I got lost. Got out of my car and asked a stranger for directions.

I arrived right on time. I was told that the head of the company was in a meeting and could I wait. I waited for about 40 minutes. Strangely enough I was calm. When the boss finally greeted me she apologized for being late. She was maybe 35 years old, tall, and very stylishly dressed. She looked like a model and weighed possibly 102 lbs., give or take a pound. She was very nice and friendly. Interestingly she read a series of questions off of a printed sheet. I took my time and answered each question honestly. I was happy with my answers. She wrote down things on her sheet of paper as I spoke. I believe I gave a pretty good interview. I was content that I had done my best.   We shook hands at the end of the interview. She said she would be interviewing a few other candidates for this executive position and would make her decision the following Monday or Tuesday.

Well, as you might have guessed by now Monday and Tuesday have come and gone and by now I know for sure that I didn’t get the job. The reason? I can’t be sure of course, but I believe I would have gotten the job if I had been 46 years old instead of 66 years old.  I can’t be sure it was my age. However, I suspect that was the issue. My kids think I look younger than my current age, however, they ARE MY KIDS. Strangely, enough this didn’t make me angry. What made me angry is that I didn’t receive an email or a phone call thanking me for the interview and letting me know that they had chosen someone else for the job. This would have been polite. I wasted a lot of thought and time preparing for this interview. I had to call the company myself to be assured that they had chosen someone else. I wasn’t going to call but I decided to call because I thought it was so impolite of the boss not to let me know the outcome of the interview. This was for a top executive position for which I was more than qualified to fill.

Is anyone polite anymore? It doesn’t look like it does it? I hold doors open for the person behind me while walking into a building. I hold the elevator when someone is rushing to enter… I let cars in ahead of me when there is a long line of traffic and I see a car waiting to turn into the traffic. I say please and thank you. I leave 20% tips even when I have a small bank account. I pat dogs on the head then they sniff and seem to smile at me while wildly wagging their tails in happiness at my presence. I write thank you notes after receiving a gift. I bring a gift when arriving to a dinner invitation or a party invitation. I say excuse me when walking in front of someone at the grocery store.   Is it just something that our parents taught us that doesn’t exist anymore?

Okay, it was slightly upsetting that I didn’t get the job and frankly as we age and we keep trying and trying whether it is diet and exercise and not looking like Jane Fonda at the end of the month, or if it is the disappointment when applying for positions that seem to be just out of reach. Is it worth it to keep trying?   Is it worth the trouble? To be honest I have felt at times like giving up. This really can’t be an option. We are alive. We have made it this far. It is our strength that got us here and it is our strength that is keeping us here. So, once again, I am pulling myself up by my imaginary bootstraps and like all of us that have had to keep trying no matter what, I will keep trying too.  I had that yogurt for breakfast, I’m going to ride my stationary bike and I’ll keep going on, like all of the rest of you. Move over, Jane Fonda, I’m not giving up.

Until Next Week…