Your Changing Face

There will come a time when you start to feel the dagger of age slipping under your skin.

Long expected, it is, in many ways, unexpected.

The dream of immortality is one inherent in all though most will never admit it.

You see, it is not a logical expectation of living forever but more of an unconscious assumption as life begins to unfold and present itself to you early on. It is so bright with color and full of possibility, yet sprinkled lightly with a tantalizing fear of the unknown. But you feel good and strong, imbued with the cosmic energy of youth, so that you are ready for risk.

This is a gift you won't realize as such for many years to come.

The first bite always tastes the best.

There is an explosion of flavor upon first bite or sip. The fullness, the richness and all the subtle nuances of flavor are released in that initial moment of ingestion. From that point on, there will be pleasantness, enjoyment. But first sensation is never quite matched as taste buds become accustomed to the flavors.

Much of life is like this.

The early excitement of youth is vibrant. Aging dulls this vibrancy gradually until the repetitions of activity by older folks seems flatter, less flavorful. Changing bodies, fading tones reduce experience to a hollow representation of what it once was. In exchange for this, the elderly are supposed to have gained wisdom.

Many do, many do.

Unfortunately, wisdom isn't necessarily the desired outcome. So it's no surprise that people try to prolong aging for as long as they can. Tummy tucks, facelifsts, chemical peels, hair dyes... all designed to mimic youth. Affairs with younger partners, new sports cars, hip clothing. These are frantic attempts to put off the alternative.

But the surface of aging can be forestalled for only so long. And even though the faces may imply 32, the bodies' cells say 67. Truth is found in the depths, not on the surface.

Elderly people don't want to be wrinkled. They don't want to be tired. They would love to have the energy of youth, the strength of a fresh body.

They would love to experience first bite again.

But they can't. Some become bitter because of it. Some are resigned to nostalgic journeys of the mind. Most just accept it, for there is no other choice.

Give the elderly some sympathy even if you don't understand why.

And give them an audience from time to time, for they are trying to express the significance they once felt when they were your age. After all, a life once filled with taste and texture is a fleeting experience. Then it becomes like drinking soda with no effervescence.

One day you will start bemoaning about where all the time went, how quickly it has all slipped away, and you will be yearning for what you cannot have any more.

Then you will know.