Reflections on Aging

Reflections on aging. But not on geriatric aging. Just on getting older and learning along the way. Trinity is six. There is something about the six year old brain that begins to make connections. She was told if she was to go on the kayak with Grandpa or out in the float seat with Akira or by herself, she Had to wear a life jacket. No question. And she did. She and Akira were coming into shore when Akira leaned too far over and slipped out. They were very close to shore so he really just sat on his bottom in the sand. We were laughing together when Trinity looked right at me and said, “That’s why you want me to wear a life jacket!” Yes, ma’am. You got it. Connection made.

Akira is nine and at nine you begin to learn some things that you have been denied learning because up to then you have been “too young”. Marc, Akira’s dad, taught him to use a lighting stick to light a candle or a fire. He asked if he could light the candle on his dad’s birthday cake that night. And he did ~ like a pro. He now has the dexterity and the understanding to be careful with fire.

Nine also seems to be the age for him when some “older” responsibility has taken over. He and Trinity had been in the float seat together. She really, really wanted to do it alone. Standing by the float he looks at her, looks at me and says, “Mama Susan, I’m going with her.” And he proceeds to walk behind the float with one hand reaching gently toward it while she works at learning to paddle. He has had an excellent role model in his terrific big brother/mentor, Joshua. And as Joshua prepares to leave for college, the baton is passed very subtly to the next generation.