Not long ago I’m out for a walk with my dog when I saw a sign posted on someone’s front lawn that read, “Congratulations Edward! Senior 2024!”

I was elated. 

I didn’t know how old Edward was, but I knew in the United States a senior is anyone 65 and over so it sounded to me like he just turned 65. How uplifting and reassuring, just to see a family celebrating a family member who’d made it to age 65. It should happen more often.

If it had not been so wee early in the morning, I knew I’d be tempted to knock on their front door to tell them how wonderful their sign was and congratulate Edward if he was at home.

Later that day I am stumbling all over myself with joy, telling a friend of mine about the sign, and someone named Edward who just turned 65 and didn’t my friend think we should tell the area senior center about this and perhaps build it into a trend for all new seniors?

To which my friend responded, “Peter, my man. Edward is a high school senior. He just graduated high school.”

Oops!

Of course I am happy for Edward, the high school graduate. Graduating high school is something to be admired and celebrated. That said, and with no offense intended in any direction, I like my experience of what that sign means a lot better.