Growing Old
Not long ago, I had a tumble and an Xray revealed that I had broken a rib. Further tests (I don’t know why they did this, but I’m grateful they did!) revealed that I had a heart problem. Me with a heart problem – that’s impossible! I was suddenly faced with the absolute truth that I was growing old. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not sorry about this because in my view, growing old is a privilege. It means one has survived to an older age – a fate not guaranteed to everyone.
Personally, I am grateful to have had the opportunity to experience life and its various stages because it encouraged a positive outlook on aging, focusing on life experiences – perhaps even wisdom gained – rather than solely on physical decline. It prompted me to think about the value of life and the chances one has been given. ‘Old people’ often possess a wealth of knowledge and insights gained from a long life, which is not only valuable to themselves, but to others too. Taking life as it is now is an encouragement to focus on thanking God for the present moment and appreciating each day.
Finally, and not everyone wants to consider this, it acknowledges that not everyone gets to grow old, and that it’s a privilege to have the opportunity to experience the aging process.