Webs, Weeds and Wisdom: Growing old while still staying young

I don’t know the answer to this question today. I did the other day but not today. Today I am young.

Age is a curious concept in which we all have an interest because we are all aging as I write, and getting older means different things to different people because no one ages in the same way as anyone else.

When I was very young I thought that being 20 might be the beginning of the end, but as I grew older I realised that this was not the case.

When I was in my mid-teens the idea of becoming older brought thoughts of freedom in all its forms. In my early twenties my thoughts were dominated by family, work and friends.

I looked forward to my children growing up, to travel, exciting jobs, more money, cars, new friends and lots of great unknown adventures.

I think that the most active years - both mentally and physically - of my life were between 30 and 60 – and, although I have slowed down, things are still pretty good as I edge close to 80.

I have had many ups, downs and surprises but have been lucky and not disappointed in life.

Old people are not what they used to be - when I was at school, old people looked old, dressed old, acted old and were treated old.

My granny was very old at 60. This is not so today.

My ‘aging’ friends are the best read, most interesting and varied group of people I have ever known – their outlook on life, their interests and abilities are exceptional.

Possibly the most endearing trait of older people is that they don’t ever seem to become perfect.

For example, those who were messy (or tidy) in youth seem to be just as messy (or tidy) as they get older.

Sometimes I look at myself from a distance and wonder, like the scientist Lewis Wolpart did, ‘How can a 17-year-old like me suddenly be 78?”.

I like to keep in touch with that younger version of myself.

I wish that all young people could know that old people are just regular people who happen to be old – not a race apart.

And, of course, it is important that all older people realise that young people are just regular people who will one day become old.