I think about this all the time. My life since having children has done a complete 360, just as you said. I don't feel all that old, until I see people's younger brothers / sisters that are now old enough to get into a bar. For instance, my wife and I started dating when I was 16, dated for 6 years, got married, and just had our 13 year anniversary. Her younger brothers, whom where knee high when we met, now have children of their own. When I go through photo albums as see old photos with me picking them up and giving them a hug, and now I'm going out to dinner and their ordering up a beer, it hits me.
I see my parents getting older, and although I'm lucky enough to still have them around, I know that time is coming and that scares me a little, but again, also makes me realize how old I am myself (I'm 36 for those that don't know, so I'm not THAT old).
Going to the bars and drinking til 2am, then hitting a party only to get home at sunrise... those days are over (and, if I were to get a night out like that, I'm not so sure I could actually keep up!).
I've even found myself reading the paper and browsing the obituaries, seeing how old the people around my area were when they passed away. It's scary to think that I'm past the halfway point in the average lifespan (Damn, this is pretty depressing)..
Anyway, There are alot of things that remind me of how much time has passed, how much older I am, but, because of my kids, and my wife, I'm thankful for everything I have, I take the good with the bad, and make the most out of life. I have some pretty bad situations occurring now with work and such, but along with age comes maturity, knowledge, and the realization that you can't worry about things.... you can only make the best of what your dealt...
Well, my old age is kicking in now, because I've completely lost train of thought while trying to type out a post that is on topic
