Older than I am. End of story. 😉
My previous car had a sunroof so, one day as I was breezing down the street, I happened to glance up at the rear view mirror and there was a head of WHITE hair – bright and shiny – staring back at me. Where in the world did that come from? And, whose is it? Sounds silly, I know. After all, I do comb my hair fairly frequently. It’s not like I hadn’t seen it before…
Then, one day I was minding my own business reading the newspaper (which, in itself, makes me old) when I came upon a story which read: “An ELDERLY woman, 67…” 67 ??? Elderly? Stick the knife in and twist it, why dontcha? My son’s friend refers to older people as “gerries” (geriatrics). I’ve got news for these whipper snappers: this may be YOU someday.
Oh, I know. I used to look upon some old people as withered and out of touch and cranky. Then, I BECAME an old person. It’s all become clearer to me; not my vision, maybe, but my perspective. One of the chief things I have learned is that you can’t explain to anyone what it’s like. In this season of life, experience truly is, not just the best, but the only teacher.
One thing us old folks seem to have in common is that we are not the same age mentally as we are chronologically – or, even as our body tries to tell us. My mom always felt she was the youngest person in the building, referring to all “those cotton tops” and all “those old people”.
And, what about maturity? We always say, “Act your age.” That may work if you want your child to actually be 10, not 25; or, if you want them at 18 to act 18 and not 5. But, what does it mean for the “mature”? Is everyone who is old truly mature? We get old, but how we accept that and conduct ourselves is a choice. I have always loved older people. But, they are fewer and farther between now. I have moved “up”. Time to “act my age”, but gracefully.
Every year that passes, older moves up to a higher number. I guess that’s so I can mentally deal with it. At this point, I have concluded that 100 is old. But, honestly, 28 years from now, if I’m still here, I may want to re-think that. 🙂
“Therefore, do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.” (2 Corinthians 4:16)
Thank you for perspective!
If you think ‘old’ you will always be ‘old’ however; if you are young at heart, you will always be young!
Some days I’m older than others…though outwardly I am ‘wasting away’!
I love getting older but my body doesn’t
I love getting older but my body doesn’t
Getting old….Yes, but getting closer to heaven.
Enjoyed your perspective. And, my take away is that life is quite paradoxical.
Thank you for your word!
One thing about being old is that we look like something we drew with our left hand.
That’s a great comment Marilin. I’ve never done well drawing with my left hand. 🙂 Aren’t we grateful that we are forever God’s children as our bodies grow older!