The Privilege of Aging

I spent the morning with my 9-year old grandson Alex on the golf course; it is such a joy to share one of my passions with him.  After 9 holes we headed to lunch and had a little time to chat while we waited for his Mom.  Somehow we got to the topic of ‘old’.  He announced that anyone over the age of 50 was old.  When I shared with him that I was 66-years old he shifted gears quickly and decided that anyone over 70 is old; still not a great comfort for me, but at least a slight improvement.  

The discussion moved on to other topics, but the topic of age did linger with me.  I think a lot about aging.  I thought about it in my youth, I thought about it as my parents aged and became senior citizens and I think about it today, as I recognize myself as a senior.  It is an interesting journey.  

In my early 20’s one of my first jobs was working at the home office of Ohio National Life Insurance Company.  One of the managers in our department was a ‘senior’ by the name of Sue F.  All of us youngsters steered clear of her as she was the epitome of a sour, negative person who went on rants and only had negative things to say about us.  I swore to myself then that I would never become a Sue F.  In the big scheme of things I felt sorry for her as she seemed bitter and lonely.  Looking back on her and looking at where I am today, I have come to the conclusion that aging is a privilege.  

Aging may not be perceived as a privilege in our society.  There are those who minimize the senior, thinking perhaps they have forgotten everything they learned and experienced through their life journey so no longer have anything to offer.  There are those who patronize the senior, thinking perhaps that they are too feeble to stand for themselves.  There are those who disrespect the senior, thinking perhaps that it is not their journey so have no empathy or compassion for the challenges of age.  And there are those who see the journey, the path it takes and what honor there is in a path well chosen and the privilege that is ours if we choose well.  

Part of it of course is luck.  It is pure luck in terms of the genes you inherit from your parents.  It is luck that you are not killed in a car accident or on a battlefield or develop a fatal illness.  But it is also a choice….to choose to approach life with joy in your heart and acceptance for what is and what you can’t change.  To choose your path wisely so that as the years speed by you approach these final years with the experience of a life well lived, with no regrets and the knowledge that those you love, know your love first hand.  

I embrace the privilege of aging.  I am thankful for it.  Whether the final curtain drops tomorrow or 30 years from now, I am grateful for the privilege, of a life well lived and for the love given and received.