The Catholic times. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1951-current, 1955-03-11

hard it is upon the eyes and ears and joints and
tendons. Old Sam says, for instance, that If man
of seventy is absentmnded forgetful, this is his
fault the old lad is just mentally lazy, not de-
crept
The authorities say,-and never mind who gave
them the authority to say it; we experts have our
secrets,that much of the stodginess and general IN
effectiveness observed in an old person Is merely his
acquiescence in common, and erroneous, opinion
that old folk should be stodgy and Ineffective. Peo-
pie have built up confident expectation that an
old person will be doddery and futile and they
interpret all he says or does in the light OF that
expectation. II is natural enough, if weak Tor
the ancient TO concur in the universal opinion, and
thus TO avoid being disappointment to his loved
If young man,--to quote Johnson indirectly
mspsces his hat and cannot find 1T when the time
of parting comes, people say that he is needless
or scstter-brained careless. In 4 word they sug
gest that the young man is active and energetic
though imprudent. But let an old man lose his hat
and everyone thinks; All yes he's showing his
age; he's slowing up; can't even keep track of his
own hat think of that"
OF course, Johnsons illustration is dated Ii
does not illustrate anything at all in day when
only old men have hats to lose Yet, for the matter
of that if an old man went hatless to-day as all
young men do people would think that an sberra
tion significant of failing powers. The old mans
number is always up no matter what he does, he
gives evidence of the stern ravages OF time
And when old people manifest an interest in The
unnterestng things that young people do, there Is
much exclaimng over near miracle. The very
enthusiasm of those who report the wonder is proof
positive that the world by and large expects an old
man to be an sddepate.
Just look at Uncle John says Sprightly JASON
aged 50, "if you want example of man who
won't let himself grow old. He discusses the ideas
and issues of the day with as much enthusiasm as
ever he did" That to be sure, is dubious meas
use of enthusiasm; it's like the phrase "as pretty
as a picture" and you know how pictures are
Yes says Jason, continuing the pleasing theme,
there's old Uncle John al "a, cussing the govern
ment energetically as he did at fifty-or so
I'm told. Chews tobacco too, and takes his drink
like young cIubman It's wonderful to see old
man staying young in heart
Grandma, bless her" exclams Mrs. Jorkins.
"is as bright as dollar. Over 80 and she
recall things that happened, and lots that didn't,
when she young girl Just the other day
suggested TO her that she ought to change her pipe
for cigarettes. especially since they are filtered
now and won't stunt her growth and you should
have head her me Quick as flash, she
told me where could go | tell you, she's as keenly
alert as person of thirty
The day has passed when people boast that old
Aunt Miranda still thread needle with her
eyes shut though she has long completed her sew
enty.fifth round of the calendar People don't
thread needles any more. Besides, it's not that you
thread needle but what you do with ii
afterwards that counts. Old folks who sit around
threading needles to impress the young engaged
in futile cause
Old age has about il normal repose; 1t possess
pleasing dignity. Ii is not wildly responsive.
II can.--in old Gideon Bats phrase,-"not only
support sorrow, but restrain Joy" An old
man who hears good news does not ordinarily jump
uL and down and clap his hands, high-school
girl does when she hears of party-or anything
else, for that matter But the quiet and reserve of
age need lot be interpreted insensibility dull
ness of comprehension
There are few more pitiable things in the world
than an old person pretending to be young. Ii you
want strong relutation of the saying that life be-
gins al eighty, all you need to do is to look once
mot for long either at the TV program of that
name, There you find evidence inescapable that life
is nearly done al eighty. If life be what that pro
gram presents then the is done the better.
Someday we may have the great JOY of seeing
an old man who is referred to in purring tones as
eighty years young" arising in his place and
smashing the speaker with sturdy To try
to convince old person that he is not old is like
trying to convince a grown man that he is baby.
Why should people think they kind conSd-
crate when they seek to deny 10 age its own place
and honorable condition. Why should it be assumed
that an old is complimented when he is
called young? He ought rather to be offended.
And by that token, what otherwise
people TO grow sentimental over adolescents
and insult them with the horrible name of teen
ayers? They not class apart They are mem
bers of the human family. And in family, every
one, from the infant to grandpa lives a common
and happy life in normal household. There are
indeed things proper TO one period of life and not
TO another but no period of life is segregated
from others as TO constitute world OF its own.
The sooner socologsts and other soft-brained peo
pie begin to treat teen ayers as human beings.
and not as special and specially important de.
partmeni of the race, The better ii will be Tor all