--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It's the time ahead that's the worry. Not…" description: "\"“It's the time ahead that's the worry. Not only the frequent occurrence of breakfast, the days chasing each other like Keystone Cops at the end of an o..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3de/john-mortimer-7362_fear_it-s-the-time-ahead-that-s-the-worry-not_724094.jpg" --- # It's the time ahead that's the worry. Not only the… ![“It's the time ahead that's the worry. Not only the frequent occurrence of breakfast, the days chasing each other like Keystone Cops at the end of an old movie or Benny Hill after girls. It's not the bother of walking with a stick ... it's not the time spent planning how to get to your feet, or the…” quote by John Mortimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3de/john-mortimer-7362_fear_it-s-the-time-ahead-that-s-the-worry-not_724094.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3de/john-mortimer-7362_fear_it-s-the-time-ahead-that-s-the-worry-not_724094.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3de/john-mortimer-7362_fear_it-s-the-time-ahead-that-s-the-worry-not_724094.jpg) > ““It's the time ahead that's the worry. Not only the frequent occurrence of breakfast, the days chasing each other like Keystone Cops at the end of an old movie or Benny Hill after girls. It's not the bother of walking with a stick ... it's not the time spent planning how to get to your feet, or the need to persuade those around you to sit on chairs to stop them falling over when you grab them as an aid to standing. It's not even that you may be compelled, in the not-too-distant future, to write off for the 'Adjustable Urinal' ('Secure, yet comfortable to wear like an athlete's support'), the 'Practical Bath Seat', the 'Gentle Pelvic Extender', the 'Complete Video Guide to Manageable Sex Over Sixty', or even the 'Decorative Sticker Window Films' to stop you walking into glass doors. ... The real trouble with old age is that it lasts for such a short time.”” [John Mortimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mortimer/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Aging feels brief and chaotic, filled with absurd concerns and a sense that time passes quickly, making the shortness of old age the real problem. **In simple terms:** Aging is short, chaotic, and filled with odd worries. Key Takeaway Recognize the fleeting nature of later life. Themes aging time absurdity reflection life shortness Mood wry thoughtful Type philosophical humorous When to use this quote - retirement planning - health care - daily routines - intergenerational dialogue Key Concepts existential humor social commentary aging anxiety Questions to Reflect On - What does this absurd view reveal about societal attitudes toward aging? - How can we find meaning despite life's chaos? A Different Perspective May overlook the value of wisdom gained with age. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Adjustable Urinal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adjustable-urinal-5684684/) [Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) [Gentle Pelvic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gentle-pelvic-5684683/) [Old age](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/old-age/) [Old movie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/old-movie/) [Pelvic Extender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pelvic-extender-5684686/) [Seat Gentle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/seat-gentle-5684687/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Time spent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time-spent/) [Urinal Secure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/urinal-secure-5684685/) ## Related quotes > [I just think old old movies, they make you concentrate and pay attention so much more. They feel so warm. 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It's not even that you may be compelled, in the not-too-distant future, to write off for the 'Adjustable Urinal' ('Secure, yet comfortable to wear like an athlete's support'), the 'Practical Bath Seat', the 'Gentle Pelvic Extender', the 'Complete Video Guide to Manageable Sex Over Sixty', or even the 'Decorative Sticker Window Films' to stop you walking into glass doors. ... 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