The “Up” series started in 1964. 14 British children from different backgrounds were interviewed for a documentary. The children were all seven years old. Every seven years the same individuals are interviewed. The most recent version of the series is 49 Up which was filmed in 2005. As the name suggests those children are children no longer. They’re 49 and they’ve come a long way since 1964.

My friend Tracy turned me on to the series at about 28 Up. I’ve been looking forward to these films ever since.

One of the participants in 49 Up says the draw must be to watch the everyone get larger and more bald. There’s a grain of truth in what he says. It’s not that I enjoy watching other people age. Watching the series is a reminder that I’m aging as well. Time marches on for all of us. The best we can do is decide how we’re going to use that time.