Some things grow more valuable with age. Take cars, for instance. Those old models, fifty or more years old, aren’t they lovely? If they’ve been well cared for, they still purr down the highway, classic lines gleaming in the sunshine.
And gems! I prefer antique jewelry that has been well-loved through the years. Gold never loses its value, diamonds and emeralds still glitter in the sunlight. Their worth isn’t dimmed by years.
But, people? Well, I don’t know. Babies are certainly more cuddly, more beautiful, more entertaining. And, those teenage and young adult years? They are interesting and full of lessons for us older people to learn as we watch the youngsters so full of hope and intelligence. They are the ones upon whom the future depends.
Then, there are the aged ones–wiser than in the past; at least, we hope so. Not nearly as pretty or handsome, lines blurred, eyesight, hearing, agility–all those things not quite up to snuff any more. But, within that gray or balding head, there are many stories, many lessons learned. Only thing is, now that we have time to tell them, nobody has time to listen.
So, we sort of band together in Sunday school classes reserved just for us, in retirement homes, within a circle of friends who share common experiences and limitations. If re-painted, re-furbished, aging parts are replaced, would we purr on down the road, like those classic cars? Are we still beautiful to those who treasure antiques? To the people who really matter, I believe
we are!
It’s nice to have so many of our own age group around in my neighborhood. We may have more aches and pains, but we’re not like the pictures of oldies sitting in rocking chairs, wearing outdated clothes and not knowing what’s going on in the world. We dress like others, though not baring as much as when we were young. We keep up with what’s happening in the neighborhood and the world. We are adept at handling computers and don’t need a youngster to tell us how to work them.
Thanks for writing, Morgan. I like to think that I’m much the same as you and those in your neighborhood. In fact, I don’t know any oldsters that dress old-fashioned or sit around. The gals in my SS class are pretty up-to-date and like pretty jewelry, make-up and clothes. I don’t get around as fast or as much as I’d like to but I like to keep up with daily news too, although it’s pretty scary. Sometimes we are just stereotyped and we shouldn’t be.
Let’s all keep on purring! Beauty is in the mind of the beholder, anyway. 🙂
That’s what we need to do–keep on purring down the road. Thanks, Kimberly.