Life is a fleeting moment…we all grow older… there is no way to escape it. Young people cannot imagine themselves old and some even make fun of older people. Many think they are invincible and have delusions that they will always be young, strong and good-looking. They live for the moment, then one day they suddenly realize they are old…it jumps up and catches them off guard. Disbelief and often shock set in at the realization that their lives are mostly used up. They begin to reflect deeply on their lives.
Time moves quickly, catching us unaware of the passing years. Just yesterday I was young, strong and vibrant, not afraid of anything, just married my sweetheart and beginning my new life. But yet, it seems like forever ago, and I wonder where all the years went. I lived them all, that I know. My mind wonders back to how it was back then and I remember all my hopes and dreams… But, here it is… the autumn of my life and it catches me by surprise. How did I get here so fast? Where did the years go? Where did my youth go?
I recall seeing older people through the years and thinking that they were so different from me and that old age was so far off for me, that I could not even imagine fully what it would be like.
Reality sets in… here it is… my friends and family are retiring and graying… they are not as quick as they used to be. I see the changes of time… They are no longer young and vibrant as I remember… Like me, their age is beginning to show. We are now those older folks that we used to see and never thought we’d be.
I find myself in this new season of life and beginning to feel the aches and pains and the loss of strength that come with age, which I try to deny. The ability to go and do things that I want to do is waning!!
I know that the winter of my life will soon be upon me. I’m not sure how long it will last, but this I now realize, when it’s over, it’s over. I wish I had no regrets, but there are things I wish I hadn’t done… I can’t relive my life; I can’t change the past… but there are many things I’m happy to have done.
Whatever you would like to accomplish in your life, do it quickly! Don’t put things off too long! The old age season of your life will surely come. It will be here faster than you think. Life goes by quickly.
Do what you can today, as you can never be sure whether your time on earth is used up! There is no promise that you will see all the seasons of your life. Try to do and say all the things that you want your loved ones to remember, and hope that they appreciate and love you for all that you have done for, and with them, in all the years past!
‘Life is a gift and privilege; the way you live it is your gift to those who come after. Live life well and with purpose!
Wess, this is wonderfully written! You’ve captured the whole essence of what it feels like to age. There’s no “formal transition” where a switch is thrown and we suddenly become old. We just wake up one morning and realize … wow it’s happened to me too.
I remember being fresh out of college, joining the work force, and giving someone a cane as a birthday present because he had just turned twenty-five. 
I find myself now thinking that a cane could be quite useful.
Life is short. Time is short. You’re right — if there’s stuff that needs to be done, do it now!
Great article, Wess. Nicely done.
How I wish for a real fountain of youth
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