As I write this looking through “reading glasses,” but grabbing bifocals when I need to read a paper on my desk, I silently fume about the vicissitudes of life and the challenges of aging, I’m reminding myself to “in everything give thanks,” as we’re reminded in I Thessalonians 5:18. A recent knee injury resulted in surgery and I don’t move as quickly as I used to and have had to silently apologize to all those who move slowly when I’ve fumed when walking behind them.

Prior to these signs of aging, I laughed about my younger children teasing me that I was as old as their friends’ grandparents. I thought I was witty when I intoned, “Well, I could have stopped at two and you wouldn’t be stuck with an old mother.”

Now, aging is pressing hard upon me and making me take a closer look at the ideaof mind over matter and the idea that “you can do anything you set your mind to.” Not withstanding that determination and persistence are great qualities, there are some things over which themind can not prevail and which will not change, no matter what your attitude.

A dear friend cares for her 100-year-old grandmother.

She has taken her into her home and is at her beck and call. She is grateful for the opportunity as her grandmother graciously took her and her siblings in when their parents were killed and raises them in addition to her own eight she had already reared.

Virginia A. Leach Kelly Wylie, resident of Autumn Place, and mother to Jack Kelly, one of the Pea Ridge aldermen, turned 100 this week. She was honored at church Sunday where she was called upon to give her testimony. Monday, her family members served lunch to her fellow residents and celebrated her life and plan to have another large family party at Kelly’s home thisweekend.

Although we’re not to compare ourselves to others (I Corinthians 10:12: For we dare not ... compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.”), we can learn from others.

Our culture has become so segregated that too often, most of our time is spent with people of our own age and mind set. We need to expand our perspective and learn from the wisdom of our elders.

I may feel frustrated at aging, but what about my 76-year-old mother, or 96-year-old grandmother, or these two lovely 100-year-old ladies?

A very wise young man once pointed out that we tend to compare our weaknesses with other people’s strengths.

Ever hear a young person admiring someone else and say: “He’s so good at basketball. I stink.” or “She’s so pretty. I wish I looked like her.”

Those same young people may be very good at something they’re not seeing.

They need to have their perspective enlightened.

And, as we “middle-aged” souls bewail our aging bodies, maybe we need to consider the case of our elder friends who can not command their bodies to obey them as once they did.

The older I become, the more convinced I am of the need for patience and compassion toward all. We never know the trials through which another is passing.

So, teen-ager, when you fuss about the “old person” walking or driving too slowly or are tempted to make fun of the elderly person fumbling with a cane, remember, if you live long enough, you’ll be there, too.

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Editor’s note: Annette Beard is the managing editor of The Times of Northeast Benton County. A native of Louisiana, she moved to this area in 1980. She has nine children, one grandson and another grandson due in April. She can be reached at [email protected].

Opinion, Pages 3 on 03/23/2011