I hate birthdays – mine, in particular. It’s just a reminder that I’m getting older – that another year of my time on this earth has passed. And you definitely don’t feel any different than the day before (my grandmother ALWAYS asks me that).
Perhaps I hate it because I never have anything substantial to look back on in the previous year. Perhaps it’s a reminder that yet another year has passed, and I still have no ideas of which path or course to take my life. Maybe it’s because I have a fear of aging that is fueled by the stigmatization of older individuals and aging bodies.
It’s almost kind of funny because I’m not afraid of dying, personally, but I am quite fearful of aging. Why do you think that is? Like I mentioned before, I think it has to do with the depressing picture society paints in regards to old people.
The end of life.
Your body is failing you.
You are a burden to society.
Just go knit and watch Game Show Network, you’ll be fine.
I think my personal fear of aging has to do with my lack of knowing what I want out of life. I think it also has to do with the whole failing body thing; especially, since I’m a biology major. Are you ever fearful of getting old?
Unruly Bodies 
I used to be really afraid of getting old, particularly because Alzheimer’s runs in my family. Something about forgetting the family that loves you terrifies me. But in general I’m not afraid of getting old anymore. I already have conditions that most don’t get until their old so there’s not much more life can throw my way. I also used to be terrified of old folks homes because they seemed so sad and distant.
I recently turned 22 and I was surprised at how sad and uncomfortable with growing older I had felt (especially because of the joy associated with turning 21!). Thinking about growing older in the context of Feminist, Queer, Crip is interesting though, because Kafer problematizes the concept of time as we often think of it. Why do we automatically associate aging with decline and death? Is there anything we can do to change this association, and what would that require?