How old is old?

How old is old?

To a pre-school child, turning 6 is "old" because one gets to go to school.

To a pre-teen, turning 13 appears to be a rite of passage because they assume they get special privileges when they become a teen-ager.

To a teen-ager, turning 18 signifies "freedom" and true adulthood.

And so it goes.

I remember one of my sons-in-law being chagrined that he was 36, closer to 40 than to 30.

My grandmother, who lived to be 100, only complained about 69. She didn't really explain it, but as she was preparing to go out on a dinner and dancing date with my grandfather, she said somehow 69 was "old" to her. Her mother lived to her late 80s.

When I was in my 20s and 30s, I remember viewing mothers in their 40s as having "arrived." I just wanted to survive past diapers, diaper bags, car seats and potty training. I thought their lives were easy. How wrong I was!

They tried to tell me, but I didn't listen very clearly.

I don't know if we ever "arrive." If we're teachable and humble, we'll always be learning. If we care more about others than about ourselves, we'll always carry concerns (prayer burdens) for our children and grandchildren and loved ones, regardless of their (or our) age.

At least two decades ago, a friend of mine and I who were running a Mothers' Day Out program and working nursery at church wondered where all those ladies in their 50s were who had "nothing to do." Boy, were we wrong! We didn't truly see their trials and burdens because we were so consumed with our own.

Now, nearing my sixth decade, I find that caring for young children is much more tiring than I remember it to be but also more rewarding as I have a different perspective than I did 30 years ago.

And, I realize that people in their 70s, 80s and 90s view 59 or 60 as relatively young. To them, it is. But, to the young parents out there, it's old. I'm trying to learn to view each age with grace, realizing that each of us carry our own unique burdens.

I never thought I'd be one of those crazy grandparents always bragging on my grandchildren, but I'm afraid I am. I adore them. Are they perfect? No. Are any of us? No. But, I realize grace includes loving each of them despite their flaws and encouraging them to continually learn, grow, improve.

I'm grateful God allowed me to grow old and become a MiMi -- a grandmother of nine wonderful blessings.

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Editor's note: Annette Beard is the managing editor of The Times of Northeast Benton County, chosen the best small weekly newspaper in Arkansas for five of the past seven years. A native of Louisiana, she moved to northwest Arkansas in 1980 to work for the Benton County Daily Record. She has nine children (six daughters and three sons), four sons-in-law, seven grandsons and two granddaughters with another grandson due in December. The opinions expressed are those of the author. She can be reached at [email protected].