Sarah: But I always drink lots of... MALK??

Yesterday I again attended church with my parents (no SHOFUR or SHOFAR in sight) and sat in one class with several older ladies. I've never been prejudiced against the elderly, and even worked for a while at a retirement center, but being surrounded by these women made me fear getting old. Sitting next to this cute, tiny lady, I glanced at her hands. Her joints were large knots of arthritis. She looked up at people filing in, hoping to engage them in conversation, giving a grin to each person as they passed. Another woman joked about being thankful each day for being able to get out of bed, as she too was afflicted with arthritis. A third woman anxiously searched for recognition and validation for activities she had attended. I thought these ladies were all very sweet and trying their best to age gracefully. How difficult is it, though, to feel your body give out? To realize that your wisdom has been dismissed as the ramblings of a useless old lady? I'm at the time in my life where I'm young and active and just getting a voice in the world, but this is only a temporary state. It won't be long before I join the ranks of these older women, senile, decrepit, and lonely. Still, I suppose I should enjoy each stage of life as it comes and try to respect people from all stages of life.