Both these pieces are brilliant so I understand your head scratching. Some of it my be the randomness of the internet. One thing takes off and another doesn't. But I have a theory.

1. Negative titles sell better than positive ones. I don't know why your first title sucks me in more than the second but it does. Especially because you paired it brilliantly with a positive subtitle so I know this isn't going to be a total doom and gloom story.

2. The first story hits all the prime elements of virility. You lead with humor and a personal story. In fact, the whole article is has both. You work in yourself and your parents. Also the entire thing is so relatable to any age. Obviously aging people see themselves here but so do young people. Young people have felt annoyed at old people rambling on about their bodies failing.

And the dang thing is so uplifting. We all gobble that shit up these days. You acknowledge the negatives of aging but do it humorously so it's easy to take and then you hit us in the feels with all the positive stuff. Plus you mention your parents. Win win win.

The second piece is a little more generic. You start funny examples but they aren't you specifically. You again give excellent advice but isn't tied directly to your parents who were so beloved they made a bank teller cry at their passing.

That's just my theory. Excellent writing all way around. I'm glad you shared them because I had somehow missed them both.