What Would Erik Erikson Say?

My daughter has a way with words. Girlie Girl is 9 and holds nuthin' back. "Mom, you're middle-aged," she told me tonight as I was cooking dinner.

"What??" I spun around, flinging spaghetti sauce off the wooden spoon.
"You heard me," she said. "MIDDLE. AGED."
She's right, of course. But GAD!

"Well, can't you call it something else?" I pleaded. "Something that doesn't sound so...old?"
"Sure!" she answered, and began writing out a list. Girlie Girl loves lists:

THE AGES OF LIFE

1. Just Started My Life, age 1-2
2. Youth, age 3-12
3. I'm So Sweet I'm 16, age 16
4. Yung, age 18-28
5. Just Reeched Alot of Experience, age 30-45
6. I Have Grandkids! age 50-65
7. Have to Wear Dentures, age 70-80
8. Where's My Applesauce? 80 and up

Well. I think I look pretty damned good for "Just Reeched Alot of Experience"-aged. Now, where's my applesauce?...