Age determines lots of things - when you become a teenager, an adult, the age certain things are legal, the age you can get your driving license, and much more.
Age has different stages throughout your life - young, middle-aged, or old. It is the duration of your life.
I don't know about each of you, but most of the mile markers along the way to my fifty-nine years never bothered me. That is, until I turned thirty. Oh, I longed to be grown, get out of school,
reach the age of twenty-one, which seemed to be the acceptable age, and get married. Twenty one rolled around and I was elated! I had finally reached the great mile marker. Oh, but was I in for a surprise,
when I reached thirty!! That bothered me like no other year of my life! Now, as I approach the magic number sixty, I once again wonder if this will bother me.
Usually, age never crosses my mind, unless someone asks me my age, which I am happy to share. After all, but for the grace and mercy of God, I could not be here to enjoy my life. So, I gladly let them
know my age. But, approaching the sixty years of this life, having been married thirty-eight of those years, gets my attention. Oh, I will try to pass it off as I did, when I turned fifty. It will only be
from one day until the next. I've always kidded about being one year younger than my husband most of the time, but each year, when his birthday has come around, I tell them that he is now two years older than me.
This year may be different. He turns sixty-one, and I turn sixty only 21 days later. That will be the 'shortest year' of my life - turning over the 50-60 age may be distressful, I will admit!
But, age is really an attitude. I am fifty-nine, but don't feel my age, and sure don't act it. I look at pictures of my grandparents, when they were my age. To me, they looked old, nothing like I feel I look now.
But, then, I haven't asked my grandchildren how they feel about me. Their opinion might be completely different than mine, and perhaps on the same plain with that of my attitude towards my grandparents.
I recently wrote an article about a dear friend who will turn the ripe old (?) age of 99 in October of 2002. To know her is a joy. To watch her in action is simply an age-awareness lesson! You seldom see Miss Dena without
a smile. You hardly ever hear her utter a word of despair. Despondency is not in her vocabulary. She has lived a full life, married, raised children, taught school, and is still an active member of the community. She gladly
tells you her age, if asked, and smiles. She knows God has been gracious to her. But, her life is an example of a great attitude! She never 'thinks' old; life is precious!
Read Miss Dena's story, Aging With Grace.
So, if age is 'creeping' up on you, and you are feeling down and out, remember the old saying: You are only as old as you think. Some say CHANGE your thinking, so perhaps 'age is an attitude'. I would love to think so!
Written ©August 16, 2002 by Barbara Sanders, AL. All rights reserved.
