To keep the heart unwrinkled—to be hopeful, kindly, cheerful, reverent—that is to triumph over old age.” – Thomas Bailey Aldrich
All those people who say “age is just a number” are likely to be less than 40 years old.Or at least less than 50. Tomorrow I will be 74 years old and I am here to tell you that age is more than just a number. There are plusses and minuses to this . Let’s start with the plus side.
- If you live long enough to reach your 60s or 70s you will have accumulated a lot of useful knowledge. You will have learned what matters and what does not matter.
- You will have learned who you are and what you need and do not need in life to make you happy.
- You will have the confidence of having survived to your older age. You may have survived serious illness. I know I have. These illnesses can give you a very different perspective on life and living.
- You will have made some mistakes that,I hope,will have taught you some important lessons.
- You will have had success in your life . That may be in your career or your relationships or in your pursuit of sport or academics. This will give you confidence in facing any new challenges that come your way.
- Hopefully you will have a group of friends or family who can support you through times of difficulty.
Now for the minus side.
- We are not immortal and our bodies and body parts do start to wear out. So far I have had both hips replaced and recently the socket liner of one replaced hip had to be replaced. I had worn out even the plastic socket liner!
- We may not have accomplished all that we thought we could have or should have in our lives . The important thing is not to let regrets creep in. Banish them and focus on how well you have done the things you have done.
- Accepting the fact that death is an inevitable part of life is easier for some than for others. But if it is hard for you be sure to congratulate yourself on having lived to your 60s or 70s.
- Realizing that you have not seen someone who was a good friend in your younger years and now you recieve the news that they have died. This is another time to not let regrets creep in. Think about other friends and see if there is anyone you should visit now while they are still on this side of the great divide.
- Realizing that the youngsters have it all ahead and you do not have so much ahead. It is what it is and there is no point in spending time worrying about this. Get out and enjoy your day. There are many who are not so fortunate.
And there you have it. My thoughts on age and why it is not just a number. The most important thing to remember,I think, is the realization that getting to old age is in fact something we should celebrate. We are lucky to have lived long enough to be oldies!
So tomorrow June 9th I will be celebrating the fact that I have survived to Seventy Four years of age.
“Old age is a good and pleasant thing. It is true you are gently shouldered off the stage, but then you are given such a comfortable front stall as a spectator.” – Confucius
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