Love Your Age, Whatever It Is

Arthur Gordon tells this story: When we were growing up years ago in our sleepy Southern town, most of the adults seemed rather staid and sober.  There was, however, one memorable exception: Miss Lucy, a widow lady who lived with her prim and proper sister, Clara.  But Miss Lucy was full of charm and sparkle and enthusiasm.  

One day Miss Lucy - in her sixties - asserted that she could still stand on her head.  When we looked doubtful, she clamped her skirt between her knees and did so, beaming at us upside down.  "Oh, Lucy," said Clara.  "Do be your age!"

Miss Lucy righted herself.  "What sort of nonsense is that?" she asked.  "How can anyone be anything but their age?  The trick is to love your age.  Love it when you're young and strong and foolish.  Love it when you're old and wise.  Love it in the middle when the challenges come and you can solve some of them, maybe most of them.  If you love your age, you'll never go around wishing you were some other age.  Think about that, Clara,"

- Arthur Gordon, Return to Wonder