"Ma'am, do you drive a mini-van?"

... is what I heard as I came up for breath after swimming a few laps this morning at the Pearland natatorium.  And while I am grateful the young buck of maybe 19 years went and closed my open door as it sat in the pouring rain, the whole scenario caused me to selfishly spend the next 20 laps agonizing about my age. A simple question and yet, it caused such a stir.
    First of all, I swim because it's the only thing that relieves my messed up joints and muscles - hmm, didn't feel that way 20 years ago.  Age, maybe? Second of all, the "ma'am" - yes, it was very polite, but I would have taken, "Hey, miss".   Third of all, the mini-van.  I got over the whole uncool factor when we bought it, and I'm realistic enough to understand that a mini-van is the most practical choice when towing 3 kids + friends on a regular basis.  But there are days when I wish I still zipped around in my little blue truck that didn't have a real back seat. And finally, do you see the open door?  Really? It happens all the time at our house. Neighbors will stop by and tell us our car door was left open, way too often, and it's always some child's fault.  But today, that was all me.  I was all alone and totally not distracted.  No kid, no phone, no drink in hand.  Forgetful. Hmm, age, maybe?
    And while I love that age brings experience ( to tout all the grandparents out there), it certainly doesn't help the "cool" factor.  And you know me - I gotta be cool. :-)