Trees have a way of teaching, by virtue of their existence.
They adapt to life’s storms with stalwart resilience.
They stand… until they can’t.
. . .
A recent TV commercial defined smooth as the “new young” (which was followed by a momentary twinge… and a hearty laugh.)
Not knocking it… not scoffing, either. It all depends on the source of your definitions.
I don’t know about you, but I haven’t been smooth since I was a baby. (Even with a liberal dose of spackling compound, I’d be hard-pressed…)
A visit to the Lightning Tree confirmed my reality.
As I admired its gnarled presence, my “old” friend reminded me that aging is an inevitable process.
The truth is: aging can’t be reversed. It happens whether you acknowledge it or not. It occurs in spite of attempts to delay it.
(Note: The disclaimer at the end of the ad stated that the product reduces the appearance of aging.) Nothing to get hysterical about.
Simply the truth.
There’s nothing wrong with a few crunches or throwing a little paint on the ol’ barn. I’m a firm believer in taking care of what you’ve got.
But, I also know life’s lightning bolts eventually take their toll… and, sometimes they leave a mess.
(I’m learning to live with the mess.)
The idea of being weathered has grown on me.
It’s comforting.
Appealing…
When I got back to the house, I consulted another “old friend” for the definition of young. (One who went to college with me almost forty years ago… my favorite dictionary.) It said:
“Recently come into being.”
Which can happen at any age.
Hallelujah.
Granted, I’ll take care of what I’ve got, but I refuse to fret about it.
Thank you, my wise, beautiful, young/”old” friend.
I’m resolved to stand… until I can’t.
Enjoying stalwart resilience,
~ Kim
What lessons have you learned about aging?
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