Goin' Gray

“Never ask a woman her age”, a cliché. It has undertones of humor, respect, privacy, secrecy and nonchalance. Same goes with that line in a shampoo TVC “…30-something na”, or the quote “Age is just a matter of mind; if you don’t mind it doesn’t matter”.

Growing “old”, may be an honor at this time of restlessness, instant-everything, and cutthroat life we have. Instead of aimlessly drifting away from one’s real purpose of being, this rite of passage could be a welcome treat. Of course, (without undergoing cosmetic “repair”) with age come the tiny wrinkles at the eyes’ corners, the eye bags, the permanent line between the brows, the laugh lines are turning into deep jowl lines, the sagging cheekbones, the double chin – all are proofs of having lived a life that’s full while continuing the process of learning regardless of pain or disappointment along the way.

Fears are now better handled. Pieces of the puzzle are fitting in together. Standing up for convictions is always a fun way of showing spunk. A lot of options are there for the taking. Real friendships and relationships are established. There is always a sense of discovery that anything is possible through hard work and daily affirmation. Life could be like sharing a cup of coffee with a special person, maybe even compared to taking a walk in the park on a rainy afternoon, or taking that last bite of chocolate chip cookie.

Love can be a welcome treat, or an absent ingredient. As one of the basic human emotions, love could be the be-all and end-all of existence, or not. Love will always be love – with its razor sharp cuts, bruises and beatings. Love, although it’s always meant to be shared, can also be selfish, egoistic, demeaning, insulting, stupid, cold, empty, or dead. But love, glorious love, can be perfect or almost perfect. Unless, something or someone better, comes along.

My take on this: Acceptance. Wisdom, they say is part of growing “old”. It builds character, strength, patience, and a certain aura of authority. It could even be fun and challenging. And it’s not really a bad thing.