Age and the implications thereof

fireflygirl_01 · Post by **fireflygirl_01** » Sat Nov 29, 2008 12:17 am

It really says something about the social and cultural mores of a society where people in the prime of life are accused of being ‘old’ by the youth. (By youth, I mean of course teenagers – children, really – and other such ignorant people.)

Why is getting old a bad thing? What is everyone so nauseatingly terrified of? In not-so-distant olden times, elders were given a modicum of respect. Chiefs and councils would defer to their experience, and young people would seek out their guidance. They have seen things that most of us have only read about. A few years ago, I was given the opportunity to work closely with elderly women in a nursing home. As I talked with them, I was given a glimpse into a time where children were seen and not heard, and where no more was expected of young women than to marry and have babies. I watched as wizened old women transformed into their eleven-year-old selves, wondering at the brand-new sensation of flying through the air and putting complete trust in the Orville Wright – the pilot – to land his new-fangled contraption safely. While senses dull and bodies wither, their minds and memories remain as sharp as ever.

So tell me, what exactly is there to be ashamed of in age? I'm extremely curious.

Samwise · Post by **Samwise** » Sat Nov 29, 2008 2:37 am

Nothing, just the realization that I could have spent my seventeen years past more wisely. Other than that, I'm hopefully reminded of the ongoing sanctification and future glorification in heaven with my Saviour.

Arwen · Post by **Arwen** » Sat Nov 29, 2008 8:22 am

Well, even though the truth is that from the moment we are born we are heading toward death; I think it sinks in for people once they hit a certain age (generally 30s or 40s). I think that's why many people are always trying to look younger, or not let people know their ages. That and the fact that society says that becoming old is unattractive. I think the combination of these things make people feel ashamed, even though there really isn't anything to be ashamed of.

The Top Crusader · Post by **The Top Crusader** » Sat Nov 29, 2008 8:27 am

Yeah.

Plus while some old people remain sharp, some of them have no clue what is going on. $\:D/$

Samwise · Post by **Samwise** » Sun Nov 30, 2008 1:01 am

Arwen wrote:Well, even though the truth is that from the moment we are born we are heading toward death; I think it sinks in for people once they hit a certain age (generally 30s or 40s). I think that's why many people are always trying to look younger, or not let people know their ages. That and the fact that society says that becoming old is unattractive. I think the combination of these things make people feel ashamed, even though there really isn't anything to be ashamed of.

Nope not at all. Personally, I think older people who "walk in righteousness" (prov 16:31) have a special kind of beauty about them...

Proverbs 20:29 wrote:The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the grey head.

Notice how for young people, the beauty isn't really in their looks, but in their strength.

King Butter Turtle · Post by **King Butter Turtle** » Sun Nov 30, 2008 6:01 pm

I believe it really comes from secular society's fear of death. As people get older they realize that their life is coming to a close which makes aging as a whole a negative. But, as christians we know that death is a doorway to paradise, so there is nothing wrong with getting older.

Laura Ingalls · Post by **Laura Ingalls** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 9:03 am

It's funny...my great-aunt who just recently died was 90 years old, and she was extremely paranoid about ANY of her friends finding out how old she was. It was like she was ashamed of it. I know she would have hated it that on her funeral bulletin it had her date of birth.

I personally don't understand it when people don't want to say how old they are and want to be perceived as younger than they are. You are what you are, it's not something to hide.

I love the stories of the olden days that elderly people can tell. Going through my great-aunt's things this past weekend we have discovered so many OLD family pictures, baby clothes, toys from her childhood, a cane used by my great-great-grandfather, and so many more interesting items from years gone by. *sighs nostalgically* I just wish she had been more forthcoming with stories and information about everything that we're finding. It would mean so much more to know the history behind it...but she didn't like to talk about her past.

Jonathan · Post by **Jonathan** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 10:04 am

Arwen wrote:Well, even though the truth is that from the moment we are born we are heading toward death; I think it sinks in for people once they hit a certain age (generally 30s or 40s). I think that's why many people are always trying to look younger, or not let people know their ages. That and the fact that society says that becoming old is unattractive. I think the combination of these things make people feel ashamed, even though there really isn't anything to be ashamed of.

To be honest, I think that with people today that fear starts sooner and sooner. For some folk, anyway. I've got a friend about to turn 22 and she's all annoyed by the fact that she's that much closer to being 30.

Evil Chick · Post by **Evil Chick** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 9:34 pm

Lol... Yeah, pretty much, Heidi had a cow when she turned 20. Not 'cause I really think that 20 is old, per se, but because I realized that all of my teenage years were already gone, and it was scary to me. I don't know, I guess I don't feel like my life can possibly have already progressed so far. It's kinda creepy.

Baragon · Post by **Baragon** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 10:44 pm

My grand-mother who passed away in August was 93 and rather proud of her age.... She was rather proud to be that old and still rather sharp in the mind - she stayed that way until the week of her passing - which I always found impressive considering many other 'older' people don't have that blessing. And in some ways, I think that becomes the 'shame' in age - the mind not being as sharp as it used to be (I'm not talking about people in their 40's, either... but rather much older

).

However, personally it is always interesting to listen to the wisdom of those older\wiser.

LizzieG · Post by **LizzieG** » Tue Dec 02, 2008 12:27 pm

I dreaded turning 20.

As strange as it is not to be a teenager anymore, it's more my not knowing what I'm doing with the rest of my life - especially with graduation fast approaching - that scares me more than getting "old."

I had a great-grandpa who lived to be around 104, and was physically and mentally strong until his death. I vaguely remember going up to Washington for his 100th birthday celebration, complete with 4th of July fireworks! $\:D/$

Unfortunately, that's not the case with my grandma. She now lives with us, and, sadly, her mind is not what it once was. I definitely admire my parents for taking her in when my grandpa died, even though it meant altering their lifestyles and having to rely on God for an added measure of patience and love. I know it hasn't been easy for them. Dementia is definitely the most heartbreaking part of aging.

The Top Crusader · Post by **The Top Crusader** » Tue Dec 02, 2008 12:44 pm

Heh exactly. My grandpa who died and some of my great grandparents stayed pretty sharp until the end, but currently my grandma really has no idea what is going on and insists on random weird untrue things (apparently one of my uncles moved to the ocean, for instance).

A friend of mine's grandma now thinks that my friends mom is pregnant! $\:D/$