RD Christmas Trees and Aging

I came across an old Reader's Digest I saved (for whatever reason).  It was dated 2015.  Since I still enjoy my current subscription, I was shocked to see just how much it had slimmed down.  Unlike me, it seems like it is about half the size it used to be.

I'm not sure if you could make Christmas trees out of RD anymore.  There may be a few of you who know what I'm talking about.  You folded each page just so, and voila! you had--shall I say--quite a unique little tree!  It was quite a popular fad.  I think it might fall into the category of the crocheted, plastic shopping bag rugs.

But I digress.

The list of how things have changed is long.  You live to a certain age and you can't help but notice. We were in Chicago for our anniversary and discovered that our knees and feet are not quite what they used to be.

Pope Francis has spoken about aging, the elderly and physical limitations.  You may have noticed his use of a wheelchair most recently due to strained ligaments in his right knee which have limited his mobility. (AP) 

In fact, he has been quoted, saying that "advanced age is a time of life that isn’t understood even 'by those of us who are already experiencing it. Even though it eventually comes with the passage of time, no one prepares us for old age, and at times it seems to take us by surprise.'"

As the Pope instituted World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly (July 24th), he emphasized his belief that "younger generations should value older ones as a resource and not treat them as part of modern 'throwaway culture.'”

Pope Francis, using himself as a witness through his increased limitations, sees advanced aging as a blessing.  In his general audience on June 1st, he reflected:

“The elderly, by virtue of their weakness, can teach those who are living in other stages of life that we all need to abandon ourselves to the Lord, to invoke his help.

In this sense, we must all learn from old age: yes, there is a gift in being elderly, understood as abandoning oneself to the care of others, starting with God himself." 

This, of course, is difficult, and requires humility.  Humility is a virtue that takes time to polish and put into practice.

For me, although I am not elderly (most days at least), I find it helpful when I am invited into various sufferings, to try to pray that they are redeeming.  It is amazing how much pain you can tolerate if you attach it to the idea of offering it to lessen someone else's pain or for a specific intention.  It is transforming.  And it is what Jesus did for us on the cross.

It has not gone unnoticed by Pope Francis that although aging may come with physical challenges, there is a wisdom that walks alongside it.  That wisdom brings about a different worldview than one typically has in their 20s and 30s.  It is a new perspective on what is important in life, what we can and cannot control, the primacy of love over judgment, and a freedom that comes with accepting others and their mistakes or choices.

With this new perspective comes greater kindness towards others, not thinking you have to have an opinion on everything (or that your opinion is the only one that matters.)  There is less rigidity as you move that dial away from judgment toward love.

You will find much more peace when this new perspective takes over.  When you come to realize that God did not actually put you in charge, everything changes.  For most of us, that is wisdom that comes with aging.  Cling to that, and as Pope Francis said, abandon yourself to God, who will continue to be present to you as you advance in age.

Janet Cassidy
janetcassidy.blogspot.com