Last year Zuleika Books published Older, a day by day journal of my 91st year. The reason for mentioning it is that often people say to me, ‘I am old!’ and I reply, ‘No: you are older.’ The word ‘old’ with its final ‘d’ is like a heavy door slamming, whereas the word ‘older’ more accurately reminds us that life is a journey of continual learning. As T.S. Eliot wrote (and had he been writing in prose he would also have added ‘women’) ‘Old men should be explorers still.’
Thanks you James. I like ‘older’! It creeps up on you I find and takes you by surprise. One day you look in the mirror and there is a 77 year old face looking back! In my later years I have found the inner journey of exploration through meditation and contemplation more interesting, enlivening and sustaining than my younger adventures in living. All good wishes
Peter
dear peter, what a heartening response! my email is@ j.rooseevans@btinternet.com – do write some time and tell me more about you! happy greetings James
DEAR PETER, THANK YOU FOR YOUR MESSAGE- I AT THE AGE OF 95, IN TWO MÓNTHS AT LEAST! AM WORKIJG ON SOMETHING ENTITLED #THE CONTINUING JOURNEY’ ONE NOT ONLY MAKES DISCOVERIES AS ONE GETS OLDER BUT ONE LEARNS ALSO TO SHED! DO TELL ME A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF,. MY E MAIL IS@ j.rooseevans@btinternet.com
with warm greetings, James
Looking back at life, I find that many of the things that seemed like slammed doors, have had the the opposite unexpected effect
and lead me to a different door which is open full of surprising blessings and new insights. I so agree James! exploration goes on, and the realisation and encouragement of its expansive view beckons.
With Love
Diana
I always love your framing of ageing. It’s so true.