What's in an age?

A few days ago, I referenced this article about muppeteer Caroll Spinney, and the longevity of Sesame Street. In that piece, he posed a question that I've been thinking about ever since:

"If you didn't know when you were born, how old would you think you are?"

Everyone has heard that "age ain't nothin' but a number" but is that true? What happens if you remove the numerical label that defines you? Then who are you? Does it change your characteristics? Your possibilities? Your limitations?

If I didn't know my real age- I think I'd have a hard time determining it. Sometimes, after a grueling of day of work when all I want to do is soak my aching muscles and then curl up with a movie on the couch, I would swear I was mid-forties. But then there are nights when I have seemingly endless energy and want go out 'til the sun comes up. Does that make me seventeen? Twenty-one?

It's not all tied to physical traits though, or my waxing and waning penchant for sleep. How do the rest of the things in my life stack up....are there enough clues to pin point my true age?

I'm married, which most likely puts me in my twenties or thirties. We own a house, which creeps my age up a bit. Full time career....getting up there. But wait- no kids. Back down we go. I've traveled the country but never been to Europe. Does that affect it? How about the sensible sedan I drive? Does that choice age me? My pantry is primarily stocked with cake mix and mac and cheese....is that older or younger than Ramen noodles and kool-aid? My bedroom floor is covered with clothes, and the number of lipglosses I own seems to multiply daily, making it appear quite likely I haven't yet passed through high school. But then there are the bank statements, insurance cards, and to-do lists that suggest I might be older than expected after all.

When you start to think about it, it becomes clear that any particular age doesn't have a set list of attributes or rules tied to it. There are eighty year old skydivers and thirteen year olds who knit. It seems that the adage "You're only as old as you feel" stands firm. But if that's true, then why is the comment, "Oh to be young again" so common as well?

Personally, I don't feel the knowledge of me being twenty-five means much. I do have the occasional moment where I question myself....."Am I too old to do this/wear that?" or conversely "Wow, I'm so lame- I should be out doing this not worried about this" But overall I try not to let my age dictate the way I live. I wonder though, if that will that always be the case. As I inch towards thirty, will the pressures of what I "should do" or "should have" become more apparent? What about when I'm in my sixties? Will that cause me to edit how I talk, what I buy, or how I spend my time? It's a hard thing to wrap your brain around.....and I certainly don't have the answers. But then again- I'm only twenty five...what do you expect?

So what about you all? How old do you think you are? Do you think it's possible to live independent of your age? I'm interested to hear.....