Old Before Our Time

While putting on eyeliner in front of my mother, I could see her curious gaze in the reflection of the mirror. I stopped and asked if she wanted to use some, her reply was curious in itself, "I'm too old for that!". She's 46 years old. I began to wonder if maybe this was becoming a ridiculous norm, this "I'm too old" attitude. Granted, she has had a checkered life and now that she's in her late forties she's understandably tired but what if she refocused her perceptions?

We come across stories all the time of people who are in their 80's getting degrees, fulfilling their life long dream of an education, I doubt their attitude was, "I'm too old to do that" They took a hold of their life and applied the cliche "sleep when you're dead" to conquer something before the end of their life. And I can almost guarantee if you ask them, they'll tell you that even though they are in their 80's, life is surprisingly short. Too short to waste on statements like that.

The news was, as usual, depressing and had serious shock value to it but I came across a story of a woman called Flowers. That's not her real name, it's her DJ name, DJ Flowers. She's 69 years old. She has spent the last 4 years learning how to use the equipment and she enjoys bringing people together through the medium of dance. If that's not bridging the generation gap, I really don't know what is. It's amazing how a passion can be discovered so late in life and yet pursued, successfully. She's a big hit with the French. Her inspiration came after she attended her grandson's birthday party.

I'm hesitant to use the "Anything's possible" cliche so I'll leave you with this:
You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.
Joe Lewis