I am sometimes reminded I am an “older” woman. I look down at my hands and see they bear the evidence of my age. Good hands, still strong and able, but undeniable proof that I have chosen to live a life that includes physical labor in addition to my time spent on writing and with students. Hands that bear witness that I am no longer forty, fifty, or even sixty years old but have, in fact, moved into what my grandchildren unabashedly refer to as old, maybe even ancient.  How is that possible? As my daddy used to say to me when I was growing up, “I was sixteen just about a minute and a half ago.”

I am young by the standards of the old and old by the standards of the young. The other day, a woman in her mid-80s chuckled and said,  “You’re barely a teenager.” On the other hand, actual teenagers occasionally offer me their seats on public transport, a sure sign they see me as elderly. In the spirit of honesty, I must admit that I generally accept those kind offers, not because I am so worn out that I need to rest (which occasionally is the case), but rather because the kindness was so graciously given. Who am I not to reward good manners?

I believe my older status gives me some perspective I may not have had earlier. I understand that life can take unexpected turns, not just for me but for everyone. Also, I accept that people are imperfect, which, at first blush, feels like a pain in the rear end but, over time, brings solace. After all, I count as people, too, and God only knows how imperfect I am. Moreover, I have come to appreciate that embracing a belief system that provides guidance and answers can be especially helpful, just as long as it isn’t so narrow that it cultivates hatred and prejudice. After all, the goal of a sound belief system is to bring peace and contentment, not breed anger and contempt.

As an older person, I recognize that sometimes I need guidance from others who have walked before me, learned from their own hard-won experience, or taught themselves the information that I so desperately need to know or learn. That is when I turn and say, “Could you lend a hand?”

I have learned mainly that human beings want one another, need one another, and depend on one another to help in our lives. We are not meant to live in isolation. We are meant to coexist.

The goal, of course, is to live in peace.

Therein lies the challenge.