The following is a true story:
Years ago - when I was about age 25, I was in a conversation with my mother and one of her neighbors. I confess that I don't recall the subject or much of the context.
All I recall is that, at one point, my mother's neighbor looked at my mother and asked about me, "What was he like when he was a baby?"
My mother replied without skipping a beat - "About like he is now."
Suffice to say, I don't fear growing old because I always have been old. It saves time and you don't fret about things that you cannot control. Indeed, one of the advantages to being old is that you don't fret about things that you cannot stop. Moreover, you get some sense of perspective.
Thus for example, right now the press is filled - and frankly this website is filled with questions about - stories about how we are living in unprecedented times. How the nation has never been under such strains and the social tensions are close to destroying the country and could lead to war. How COVID is the worst pandemic the nation has ever known - nothing like it. Further, and in bizarre contrast, how the technologies of the age are taking man to new heights of achievement and how we have never been more advanced.
In truth, you learn with age that we have been here before. You have seen it before in some form or fashion. Indeed, how the highest of heights are not nearly so high. The lowest of depths not nearly so low.
Social tensions? The nation fought a civil war in which more Americans died at each other's hands than died in both world wars combined. This not to mention the upheavals of the 1960s and 70s - assassinations, four failed presidencies, there is even a study that showed over 8000 domestic bombings between January 1, 1960 and December 31, 1969. The banner headlines about the deaths from COVID - about 300,000 to date. The Spanish Influenza pandemic killed over 600,000 in a comparable timeframe. The wonders of modern technology? The quality of human life was, by far, more greatly improved by the advent of indoor plumbing than it was by the i-phone.
Of course, when you live in the moment, as young Americans are won't to do, you are apt to think that you are the center of the universe. What is more is you are apt to be frustrated because you have yet to learn that the world need not bend to your will just because you are sure you are right. Moreover, you forget that not every problem has a solution, but some are just difficulties that you must manage as best you can. Life being imperfect, after all.
Only age and experience can teach these lessons - and even then not always. Witness the national temper tantrums of the 1960s and 70s and the current age. To borrow from an old song that was a tribute to the false idealism of youth - nope, sorry, the dawning of the age of Aquarius must always be a false dawn. Night will come again.
The funny part being that once you, with age and time, learn that lesson, you get a peculiar sense of a more enduring optimism. As John Cardinal Henry Newman said, "Spring passes into summer and through autumn into winter. Only the more surely, by its ultimate return, to triumph over the grave toward which it resolutely hastens from its first hour. We mourn over the blossoms of April because they are to whither. But we know that withal that April is one day to have its revenge upon November, by the revelation of that solemn circle that never stops. Which teaches us in our height of hopes ever to be sober. And in our depths of desolation, never to despair."
So voted no. I've been old most of my life and I will be happy to stay that way.
No, not really. I'm more afraid of my parents dying than me getting old. I like looking at my younger pictures and remembering my stupid young self.
. i would only be afraid of getting old if I hadn't accomplished anything. Or tried at least.
I'm big on photos, nostalgia. I always take picture when I hang out with my friends at bars doesn't matter if nothing eventful happens.
What's cool about being older is I have younger friends 21-22 and I like looking at their view because I was them 5-6 year's ago.
I don't know I'm weird like that
s No, I'm not afraid of growing old, it's part of life. I want to be an old lady someday, that will be a privilege since so many people die young.
I'm afraid of getting old past 60, honestly I don't really want to keep going after that.
Opinion
5Opinion
Growing old seems to be the only option one can choose as the days pass buy so just relax and enjoy life. Whining about ageing will achieve nothing but depression: there are enough harms imposed by outrageous fortune without causing self-inflicted ones.
Nope, not at all. My coaching work keeps me in good shape and I’m too busy living life.
When each new day can bring disaster it's hard to look to the future. If I do grow old I just hope it's not while regretting choices I've made in my past. Just trying to live in the moment the best I can.
Well i don't think anyone loves getting older. But no it doesn't really bother me.
I still do what I want when I want. It takes a little longer to get it done and maybe piss off a few people so be it.
Not afraid, but getting old sucks for everyone because everyone wants to stay young and youthful.
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