Beautiful Aging

You know who makes aging look good? My Grandma Colleen. She’s got this natural, pearly-white hair that’s just plain classy. She’s got a smile ready at all times. Even though she’s had multiple problems with her eyes, they just look LIGHT. Her whole face emits a glow. When I look at the age spots on her hands, all I can think of are the stories behind the spots…all the good deeds those hands have done over the years—writing innumerable thank you notes, wrapping gifts, changing diapers, giving Grandpa daily shots, perming granddaughters’ hair, writing talks, packing bags for Grandpa’s overseas assignments, making food for family gatherings, paying bills for family vacations, etc etc etc. Those hands tell 82 years’ worth of stories. They’ve grown old and aged in service. When I get old, I want to be able to say the same of my body—that it has grown old in service to others. Because what’s more beautiful than that? Yesterday was Grandpa and Grandma’s 60th Anniversary. I can’t think of two people who are a more perfect example of that—wearing themselves out in service. Grandma’s still here doing just that—Grandpa’s doing it on the other side. I remember that he was frustrated in his last days at how he felt like he was on the sidelines, unable to DO. He said that he wanted a jersey—he wanted to be in the game. A young spirit in an old body. That’s how it should be.