GROWING OLD
Nobody wants to grow old! We tax our ingenuity to keep from aging, knowing full well that we can’t change it. We are constantly bombarded with the cult of youth. The only commercials that are directed at old people are about life insurance and incontinence supplies. We think we can buy springtime at the drugstore, and I will be the first to admit that every old barn needs a little paint. God pity the old body that has no better safeguard against the coming of old age than can be found in paint, powder, facelifts, collagen treatments and a new wardrobe. One woman said, “I have the body of a 21 year old.” Someone replied, “You’d better give it back you’re getting it all wrinkled.”
The orator’s tongue loses its eloquence. The writer’s pen loses its skill. The athlete’s body loses its prowess. The quick mind is just a little slower. Personally, I quit having original thoughts years ago. One famous author said in his old age, “My God what a genius I was then.” The light of the brain dims with age, so, young person, fill your mind with good things now, so you will have great memories later.
But eening time has a radiance all its own. Oh, listen, my friend, if you have the LORD in your life, a song in your heart, and a smile on your face it doesn’t matter how old you are, you’re still beautiful, and life is a trip.
“Grow old along with me!
The best is yet to be, the last of life, for which the first was made.
Our times are in his hand who saith,
'A whole I planned, youth shows but half.’
Trust God: See all, nor be afraid!”
–Robert Browning–
Listen to some growing old quotes, gleaned from the Internet:
•Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional.
•Aging seems to be the only available way to live a long life.
•Don't let aging get you down--it's too hard to get back up!
•Don't worry about avoiding temptation--as you grow older, it starts avoiding you.
•Don't worry about wrinkles, they're just antique smiles.
•How do you tell if you're having a mid-life crises when you're whole life has been one crises after another?
•I either got old too soon or smart too late.
•I finally got my head together, and my body fell apart.
•I like my bifocals, my dentures fit me fine, My hearing aid is perfect, but I really miss my mind.
•I still have something on the ball I am just too tired to bounce it.
•It's hard to be nostalgic when you can't remember anything.
•Old age comes at a bad time.
•They tell you that you'll lose your mind when you grow old. What they don't tell you is that you won't miss it much.
•Time may be a great healer, but it's a lousy beautician.
•The trick is to live a long time without growing old.
MYSELF
I have to live with myself and so I want to be fit for myself to know.
I want to be able as days go by, always to look myself straight in the eye;
I don't want to stand with the setting sun
and hate myself for the things I have done.
I don't want to keep on a closet shelf a lot of secrets about myself
and fool myself as I come and go into thinking no one else will ever know
the kind of person I really am, I don't want to dress up myself in sham.
I want to go out with my head erect I want to deserve all men's respect;
but here in the struggle for fame and wealth I want to be able to like myself.
I don't want to look at myself and know that
I am bluster and bluff and empty show.
I never can hide myself from me; I see what others may never see;
I know what others may never know,
I never can fool myself and so,
whatever happens I want to be
self respecting and conscience free.
–Edgar Albert Guest–
