In growing older, a sage his audience once told:

“There’s no way to escape growing old.”

The lines below offer a way to steer through advancing age,

That fast-approaching, almost final, lifespan stage.

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Life seems to just happen, and the years slip by.

One day, soberly we find, I’ve reached old age, my oh my!

Such awareness is a vital step as we attain our latter years,

A time when life may well bring along many other fears.

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Rather than seeing this life stage as a personal affront,

Acceptance of our years must now come to the forefront. 

To accept older age, as it will unfold,

Is the wisest and healthiest way, we are told.

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We will now have to adapt to many new things in life.

This we ought to do without needless struggle and strife.

Those who can show adaptation in their older age,

Are the happiest and can be likened to a wise sage.

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In advancing into ripe age, may appreciation still underlie our days,

To see the miracles, large and small, that manifest in many ways!

Unexpected aches and pains, and real suffering, there may well be,

Yet, in our soul’s eye, the Other Shore, may we begin to dimly see.

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Buried in each stanza above is a key word,

Not often in this important order heard: 

Be aware, accept, adapt, and appreciate.

If we could embody these thoughts, that’d be great!

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Alexander and Eva Peck

November 23, 2023

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