Forever Young

Adages centered around the process and concept of aging abound in our society.  I will admit I am among those who do not enjoy getting older.  There is, the ever present blow to one's vanity, at least for those as vain as me, who prize the glow of youth.  Many of us have some psychological hang-ups, and of course there are the unfortunate ravages to one's bodily health which are less than delightful.

Ever since I was hurt, ten days after I turned eighteen years old, I have had a difficult time with the concept of celebrating that another year of my life has passed.  I believe this is largely a result of the significantly shortened life expectancy for those with my level of injury.  Somehow that fact has caused me to see each birthday as one year less I have to live, while ironically, the anniversary of my accident is more celebratory in a way, because it marks one more year I have survived.  My perspective may seem rather morbid, but for the most part, it does not impact my day-to-day life, that is until my birthday rolls around, and people want to celebrate.  Meanwhile, I am imagining Scottish bagpipes playing the circuit of mournful funeral dirges — I have never denied or been ashamed of being melodramatic, it makes life more fun!

If you really want to live forever, make an impression on the youth…

Additionally, I often do not feel as though I am ready to be the age that I am.  I think this is a consequence of the fact that many of the milestones that people achieve in life as they pass certain ages are things that I have not accomplished, given my vastly different circumstances.  A career, home, and children are just things that have not fit into my life.  Although I have accepted reality without much consternation, my unmarked milestones make me feel as though I am still very young.  The reality is I still live at home with my parents, something for which I am very grateful, but which makes me feel as though I should still be in the dawn of my life, rather than moving towards the latter stages.

Miriam, keeping me young and fit by helping me workout.

Despite my unusual perspective on aging, I seem to have stumbled upon the fountain of youth.  I often hire teenagers and young adults to help me with my exercise on the bike, and have the good fortune of becoming true friends with these wonderful young people.  I have discovered that in facilitating genuine friendships with those from younger generations, I maintain a strong link to the, ever elusive, concept of youth.  Although I will never be able to stop or reverse time, as it will march ever onward, I can still enjoy much of which is so highly prized by our conceptualized perception of youth.  Shared laughter and amusement with individuals still considered young, according to technical standards, is a way of transcending one's physical age.

My friend Miriam, who is wise beyond her years, has shown me that youth is in the eye of the beholder.  Although she is young enough to be my child, she and I quickly became fast friends when we met a year ago.  The age gap is only apparent when I bring up old-school commercials from the 80s and 90s, something she has never experienced, because we have found a connection completely outside of the constraints of our respective ages.  If you really want to live forever, make an impression on the youth, for they are the ones that will remember you when you are gone.  If you want to remain forever young, continue to learn, grow, and change, for it is when we stop learning, and growing that we truly age as we become stagnant.