Will You Still Love Me When I’m Sixty Four?
I love this image because it is sweet. To me, it is a symbol of love and acceptance, like an elderly couple holding hands. We used to have these neighbors - they were both in their eighties. They went outside for a walk every afternoon. She had a walker and was able to walk very slowly. I loved to watch them walking together, because her husband was always so patient with her, walking very slowly next to her, taking occasional breaks when she needed to rest.
I also have a few issues with this image, because it is, to some extent, an infringement of privacy. I do realize that it was taken in public, which means that legally it it perfectly alright to take it, and to post it. But the look on the man’s face… he’s not too happy realizing he is being photographed, and I can understand why. I still chose to post it here, because it is just so SWEET, that the value in posting it and pointing out to what it represents, justifies, to me, the possible violation of privacy.
I didn’t take this photo. I found it on Flickr. The credit for the photo, and the clever title, belongs to olavi s .
MomGrind’s next post will be published on Friday, July 11. If you’re in the U.S., I wish you a Happy 4th of July and a wonderful weekend. I hope you get to relax, go outside, spend some time with family and friends and disconnect from technology, even if just for a little while.
See you next week. 
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Scott McIntyre responds:
Posted: July 4th, 2008 at 4:50 am →
That is a lovely photo- I guess if you can be as free with the other half in your life as the couple are in the photo, then you’ve not gone far wrong
And, at least, there will be no premature sun ageing when you reach 64, if we slap on the lotion too!
Joel Falconer responds:
Posted: July 4th, 2008 at 5:55 am →
Hehe, I suppose if you’re willing to expose yourself for everyone else on the beach, you can’t complain when you expose yourself for the rest of the world
Sarah responds:
Posted: July 4th, 2008 at 6:09 am →
Disconnecting from technology sounds FABULOUS!
My heart does often melt when I see sweet older couples like that! Looking forward to your next post on the 11th.
Marelisa responds:
Posted: July 4th, 2008 at 6:41 am →
Hey Vered: I think that when you grow old with someone you don’t notice that they’re getting older since it’s something that happens gradually and it’s happening to both of you. What I love is older men in public places–surrounded by young, pretty girls–and the woman their staring at in awe is their wife (yes, it does happen, I’ve seen it).
Marelisa’s last blog post..How to Become a Renaissance Man/Woman
Jill responds:
Posted: July 4th, 2008 at 7:23 am →
I agree: it’s very sweet.
Glad you’re taking some time off!
chris responds:
Posted: July 4th, 2008 at 8:33 am →
Love is a wonderful thing. It even makes you tolerant of your significant other’s malodorous BO…I’ve gotten a whiffed of some funky smellin’ people and I always ask how their partner can stand the smell, then I realize that they are in-love.
I do try to keep my physique nice and tone so that my wife won’t replace me with some 18 year old adonis…
chris’s last blog post..13 Questions For America
Ellen Wilson responds:
Posted: July 4th, 2008 at 9:09 am →
Happy Fourth Vered! Today it’s nice and sunny in Michigan. I have lots to do though, even though I feel like being lazy. My daughter is already telling me she is bored. Well, now she is coloring.
I think what you said about the photo justifies publishing it - its well written commentary. I hope I can grow old with my husband, too.
From what I know as a photographer, as long as you don’t try to sell anything with a photo you can’t be sued for liability reasons. That’s why you need a model release for photos. If someone doesn’t want to give you a release then it can’t be used in ads, only for editorial reasons.
I understand what you’re saying about privacy issues, though. That’s a tough one.
Ellen Wilson’s last blog post..Getting Rid of Junk and Adding Some
Ellen Wilson responds:
Posted: July 4th, 2008 at 9:09 am →
Oh, I’ll be back on the 11th then! Take care,
Ellen
Ellen Wilson’s last blog post..Getting Rid of Junk and Adding Some
Cath Lawson responds:
Posted: July 4th, 2008 at 9:26 am →
Happy Independence Day Vered. I love the pic. If she’s willing to put up with his dodgy swimwear, it must be love.
Cath Lawson’s last blog post..Is It Time To Get Off Your Fat Ass?
MomGrind responds:
Posted: July 4th, 2008 at 9:58 am →
@ Scott: I agree. She obviously still cares about him… I think it’s incredibly sweet.
@ Joel: Exactly.
@ Sarah: We are all way too connected to technology in my opinion.
@ Marelisa: I think it’s very true. How can you always come up with smart, thoughtful comments, even when the post is relatively shallow? You are an amazing woman.
@ Jill: I’m glad too.
@ chris: I think it’s great that you don’t take her love for granted!
@ Ellen: ” My daughter is already telling me she is bored” - kids are delightful, yet demanding.
Thanks for the info - I have given this photo a lot of thought and decided it was OK to post it - I didn’t really have any legal issues (the photo was posted under a Creative Commons license, and it’s legal to take photos of anyone in public places). I was mostly worried that it was wrong morally, but decided it was not.
@ Cath: Hey, another Beatles song… actually, a Madness song. Yes, it must be indeed.
Bamboo Forest responds:
Posted: July 4th, 2008 at 10:03 am →
That’s a funny photo. Yes indeed, having a good relationship with ones partner much later on in life, is paramount. It shouldn’t be any other way.
Bamboo Forest’s last blog post..7 Things Cell Phones Make Worse
Rebecca (Ramblings by Reba) responds:
Posted: July 4th, 2008 at 11:16 am →
Knowing what is o.k. to post, photograph, etc., IS TOUGH. I struggle, particularly when it comes to other people’s children. They’re in public, yes… but blog land can be a “rough” place. I take things on a case-by-case basis.
Getting back to your main point, that IS a sweet photo. It’s so nice to know that my spouse will love me even if I gain 25 pounds, get wrinkles everywhere, or both.
Enjoy your week away. We’ll be here when you get back.
Rebecca (Ramblings by Reba)’s last blog post..Happy birthday, Uncle Sam!
Barbara Swafford responds:
Posted: July 4th, 2008 at 11:46 am →
Hi Vered,
Looks like love to me.
We have a couple who live across the street (in their late 80’s) who walk (very slowly) and hold hands. It is so sweet. If I’m outside they always smile and say “hello”.
Happy 4th of July to you and yours.
Barbara Swafford’s last blog post..MMM - Can She Talk?
ironman responds:
Posted: July 4th, 2008 at 12:33 pm →
I agree with Barbara: it looks like love.
Happy 4th of July, Vered.
Urban Panther responds:
Posted: July 4th, 2008 at 1:11 pm →
I love the lyrics to A Daisy A Day…”They would walk down the street in the evening and for years I would see them go by. And their love that was more than the clothes that they wore could be seen in the gleam of their eyes.” I choke up everytime I sing it, but it is how I imagine old age with the Urbane Lion.
Interesting point about the photo being posted. Before the internet, if you snapped a picture of a stranger, only you and some family members would see it. Now, the world can see it. Even though it is legal to take photos of strangers, as a photographer I am selective in what I post to the internet. And I will not take pictures of children, and if they do happen to show up in the shot, I will not post it to the internet.
Relax, enjoy, see you when you return.
Urban Panther’s last blog post..Attaining boat babe status
DavinaH responds:
Posted: July 4th, 2008 at 2:07 pm →
Hi Vered.
I’ve always appreciated seeing older couples walking hand in hand down the street.
Enjoy your break. See you “back at the Grind” next week.
DavinaH’s last blog post..Hello My Friend
MomGrind responds:
Posted: July 4th, 2008 at 9:50 pm →
@ Bamboo Forest: That’s exactly what I thought when I saw this photo.
@ Rebecca: “It’s so nice to know that my spouse will love me even if I gain 25 pounds, get wrinkles everywhere, or both.” I hope he would. He’d better.
@ Barbara: Elderly couples who show love and support for each other are inspiring.
@ ironman: Happy 4th.
@ Urban Panther: Those lyrics are beautiful. Re photos, normally I feel that what’s posted over at Flickr under a Creative Commons license is fine. I’ve used images of other people’s kids on this blog a few times. But there are definitely issues other than legal when posting a photo on the internet.
@ DavinaH: Thank you.
Evelyn Lim | Attraction Mind Map responds:
Posted: July 4th, 2008 at 9:52 pm →
What a lovely picture! I do agree that it is a treasure.
Happy 4th of July. Have a wonderful weekend!
Evelyn
Evelyn Lim | Attraction Mind Map’s last blog post..7 Everyday Actions That Reflect Your Lack-laden Thoughts
Linda responds:
Posted: July 4th, 2008 at 10:07 pm →
Hi Vered,
I like your thoughts on the pro’s and con’s of this photo and using it on your blog.
I agree, the photo is sweet and shows love & devotion. My husband tells me I “have the body of a 19 year old” (believe me, I’m not that young!), so maybe this woman feels the same way about her man! And if not, she’s still helping him, and that’s part of what love and caring is about.
Enjoy your week off! Happy 4th of July to you & yours!
Linda’s last blog post..My Mom Turns 99 Years Old on July 4th!
Lion de Leeuw responds:
Posted: July 5th, 2008 at 5:12 am →
Hi Vered,
A great and lovely picture!
I agree and think also….they are in love.
I’am used to walk hand in hand down
the street with your ??????????????
MOM.
Have a nice weekend and take care.
x x x Pappa Lion
Clay Collins | The Growing Life responds:
Posted: July 5th, 2008 at 1:18 pm →
Ok…. THAT (the comment above) was adorable.
–Clay
Clay Collins | The Growing Life’s last blog post..The Income Snowball & Funding Your Freedom: A Four-Part Guide
MomGrind responds:
Posted: July 5th, 2008 at 8:24 pm →
@ Evelyn: Thank you!
@ Linda: I’ve been blessed with such a husband too! It’s about acceptance and it’s beautiful.
@ Dad: You and mom are an inspiration to me. You truly accept each other. I love you too.
@ Clay: My dad… he’s sweet, funny and very kind.
Robin responds:
Posted: July 5th, 2008 at 9:16 pm →
Hi there Vered - hope you are enjoying yourself wherever you are. Lovely photo - Frank and I walk everywhere holding hands, which gets quite a few smiles from people.
Robin’s last blog post..Gratitude and Miracles
Emsxiety responds:
Posted: July 5th, 2008 at 9:56 pm →
That’s love!
Emsxiety’s last blog post..Fourth of July
MomGrind responds:
Posted: July 6th, 2008 at 11:05 am →
@ Robin: Thanks! Enjoying indeed. Details later.
It’s very sweet that you and Frank are doing that. I often wonder how long Ido and I will keep holding hands/ showing affection in public. We’ve been together for 19 years (!) and so far, so good.
@ emsxiety: Yes it is!
Christina responds:
Posted: July 6th, 2008 at 6:20 pm →
That’s a great picture of what true love is. It’s the everyday simple stuff. I think elderly love is one of the most beautiful things to look forward to.
Natural responds:
Posted: July 6th, 2008 at 8:05 pm →
okay i was a bit distracted by his belly, but yes, it is a sweet thing to see older couples continue to do things for one another and to be patient.
i will go out and do just what you said in a few days. playing catch up on reading some of my blogs. now that summer is here, we need to be out more enjoying it
Natural’s last blog post..We Interrupt This Program….
Suzie responds:
Posted: July 7th, 2008 at 6:29 am →
Enjoy your post free time. I realized i cant do it Im too hooked. I hope my hubby and I are still happy that far in the future. Its a nice image
Suzie’s last blog post..Im Back and Fat
Aunt Becky responds:
Posted: July 7th, 2008 at 9:09 am →
Awww! I love it! Happy 4th, friend. Better late than never, right?
Randall responds:
Posted: July 9th, 2008 at 2:20 pm →
Age is a function of the body. Love belongs to the eternal spirit or soul.
Randall’s last blog post..Wordless Wednesday
MomGrind responds:
Posted: July 11th, 2008 at 5:08 am →
@ Christina: “I think elderly love is one of the most beautiful things to look forward to.” - it IS beautiful.
@ Natural: I hope you enjoy your vacation. Technology is wonderful.. being away from it for a few days is wonderful too.
@ Suzie: You don’t post on weekends, right? So you’re doing OK.
@ Becky: Absolutely!
@ Randall: That was beautiful! I completely agree.
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Posted: July 17th, 2008 at 6:24 pm →
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