could it be your parents were wrong? Why dwell on finding respect based on age. Because no offense... 47 is still kinda young. Try telling Madonna she is old... she would surely not take it as "you accomplished so much". Young means having still chances and life before you.

Feeling old is generally not a good thing. It means worn out and bitter to me. It means lagging behind the world. (I say I feel old when I cannot figure out some electrical gadget... or when I realize it has been years and years since some event).

Wisdom and age don't really have anything to do with each other. Respect and age? Not sure. I will treat everybody with manners, unless they do something that makes me reconsired that position. Respect is earned indeed.