What It’s Like to be 58-Going-on-25-Years-Old

I told my editor that I would write something her something about the new year. And now, I take my pen or sword in hand, and write about my new vision of youth.

I have always had a somewhat youthful attitude about life. “May you be forever young” is a line from a song by 71-year-old Bob Dylan. This song would always carol in my thoughts. The only thing that makes me feel 58-years-old is my arthritic knees. Yet, I even have a solution for them – daily prayerful exercises that strengthen them up against the tree of age.

I look to my 87-year-old father for inspiration. He practiced law for 52 years. Now he gives lectures to senior groups about the footsteps of history. “Your father doesn’t have a wrinkle on his face” says my boyfriend, Anthony. Could it be due to my father’s daily 45-minute walk? I think it’s more than that; he simply loves his work, and earns his Daily Bread that much more easily.

Back to “Forever Young” Susan. I know I’m getting older when I look at a Nordstrom display in the window and think, “Oh, isn’t that young!” What brings me back to my youthful attitude is my own wardrobe. It is full of boots, big sweaters, and bright colors that make me feel so much like a young girl, that I step out each day as one.

What is the moral of this story? The mind is a powerful body of love. If one feeds it young thoughts, then the body will respond accordingly. That’s how it has worked for me. Even though the milestone of 60 years is soon to tap me on the shoulder, I walk towards it with a youthful attitude. Not bad for 58-going-on-25-years-old!

“Dance, little sister, dance!” as Mick Jagger would shout. And you know how young he is, darlin’!