About Aging

Guess what? Everyone ages. From birth until death do us part. True, some age faster than others, some show it more than others and more than a few try to hide it. Infants and children age faster than adults and those peddling secrets of non-aging may diminish wrinkles but do not have a sure cure.

Aging certain parts of the body or mind may not always progress equally and aging can be accelerated and retarded somewhat but never stopped. An elderly woman of 100 years entered a marathon (foot race), stumbled and fell, got up, finished the race and broke the world record for her age bracket. And some octogenarians (like me) don't and can't run anymore much less race.

Aging also has some benefits. Like a memory bank which holds memories that go way back. At a recent funeral, a ninety year old veteran recognized me, walked over and we reminisced about our military days. He talked about the planes he flew, that many times he made it back to the base but the planes often had to be retired because they had been shot so many times, including his. But this vet will have trouble remembering what happened yesterday.

Aging also shall we say piles up a lot of experience which is impossible to occur overnight or even in years. Sadly, many with priceless experience too often don't get to share it. They may be forced to take early retirement so that those without experience can be hired as it benefits the business economically. Or their experience is ignored by those who could benefit most (the corporation or the culture).

Aging also benefits the younger generations. When I retired at 68, I volunteered to work in our church nursery. Male attendants were not superfluous and I wondered if I would be welcome much less useful. We had one tiny tot who cried continuously when his mother left him. He went from one adult to another, finally to me. He nestled in my arms, stopped crying and I felt right at home. This continued for a few Sunday morning as I remember as I cuddled him as he relaxed in my arms. Maybe he sense I was a male, or perhaps I was just lucky. Grandparents who cherish their grandchildren are worth their weight in gold.

We could go on but you can add your own experiences, either as a young beneficiary or an elderly benefactor. What is frightening is to underestimate of the value of aging from the day of conception to the beginning of the end (which could entail many, many invaluable years).