Time after time.
September 7, 2023
Another in a series of observations of life as I know it.
Age cannot wither her, nor custom stale Her infinite variety.
-William Shakespeare
Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter.
-Mark Twain
~~~~~
Let’s talk about age, shall we? Age will, if we are fortunate, come a-calling to all of us. On certain days, when I have lost my phone thrice and glasses twice, it is humbling. But mostly just annoying. Many years ago, my mother called me to say that she had lost her wallet and keys. Frantic barely covers her state of mind. I dutifully went over to the house and we sketched out a timeline. We looked through her cavernous purse, the trunk of the car, her jacket pockets. Finally, after eliminating all possibilities, I suggested that we stop, take a breath and have an iced tea. When I reached into the fridge, there on the second shelf, near the lemons, lay the wallet and keys. Case closed. Why do I remember this and what purposes does it serve? Mom was 58 when this occurred. She mowed the lawn weekly, worked as my dad’s office manager, and ran the operation of two houses, one purportedly a future vacation home whose construction issues were mind boggling. In short, age was not an issue. Mom simply had a lot on her plate.
So as age becomes a smoke screen issue in this tawdry election cycle, I want to say a few things. Biden’s age is being used to whitewash the opposition’s problems with four indictments. Judge Kaplan in New York recently cited the orange one’s “advanced age” as a reason for a speedy trial. In other words, he might croak before he can cough up the court mandated damages. Mic drop. The tired adage that you are only as old as you feel is a bunch of hooey. It depends on the day of the week and how much wear and tear I have imposed on my body. I can’t stay awake much past 9pm, but then again, I never could. No all nighters for me in college. No late night bar crawls. My body has been remarkably consistent through the decades. My mind is clear, although I can’t remember proper names of late. Maybe that’s intentional. No clue. What I have discovered though is that age has made me smarter, and less patient with things that aren’t important. I can cope with change, but not just for the sake of change. Just give me a good reason and then I will render a well considered judgement.
Age is an abstract concept. A collection of years. A reason for Hallmark to make oodles of money on paper drivel. My friend Connie will be 93 in September and can consistently play a more durable and efficient game of golf than I can. A colleague’s father, at the youthful age of 105, drives to his volunteer job at the local nursing home, where he provides “elder care”. Of course, he lives in Maine. My Nana, a sage of advanced age herself, claimed that in colder climates, “people keep better, honey”. Like blocks of cheese and pasteurized milk. Unless you have a better explanation, do not be so quick to judge her words.
My point? Praise Jesus for finally getting to it, is simple. Age is what you make it. Because I have more yesterdays than tomorrows, I am compelled to make the most of today. I am not old, at least not in actuarial terms. Not quite yet. But I am much smarter now than I was at 45. God willing and the crick don’t rise, I will be that much brighter at 80. There is so much to accomplish. Priorities are key. Biden’s are to finish the job that he started. It’s really that exquisitely plain. Age teaches one not to make things more difficult than they actually are. In conclusion, time is of the essence. Don’t waste it.
