My daughter once told me she didn’t want to get old.
I told her of course she wanted to get old.
To which she responded. “I was thinking 40 would be more than enough years. ”
To which I responded by realizing if I was her I’d be dead.
Okay so I have this fear of getting old.
Who doesn’t? Oh that’s right, there are a few enlightened souls. It’s not that I’m scared about the God part. I’m more frightened about the potential for major decline between then and now. Aging sucks. Just about the time you kinda get it together it all starts coming apart. It’s not that I don’t want to grow up it’s just how to do it that concerns me- most. Besides the gradual physical decline part this being the older one in the group is suppose to be fun idea is for the birds. I don’t know who seduced me into thinking growing up was going to be easy but whoever they are- I’m pissed at them.
And then on a day I’m all set to join my daughter in the I want to die early club I happen upon Johanna Quaas completing a routine on the parallel bars at the spry age of 86. And I am inspired, encouraged and downright excited that perhaps there is a possibility to live in such a way you are growing right up till the day you depart for greener pastures.
Johanna Quaas, is an 86 year old who has been a gymnast since she was 30. She is a multiple senior champion of artistic gymnastics and she’s anything but an old fogey.
Okay so maybe its not aging that bothers me maybe its the idea I won’t grow in fulfillment, purpose and meaning and end up useless and wrinkly that most terrifies me on my worse days.
Perhaps the key to aging is staying flexible like Johanna, throwing your heart into what feeds your soul and spreads joy. And then maybe every age will be the perfect age to be at that precise moment in history.
You are wonderfully made. ….This is your YEAR!
