by Caroline “Anne” Love 

The question on all of our minds is whether anyone can really succeed in all these so-called important parts of life.

Why is everyone afraid of growing old? Yet why do we simultaneously celebrate every milestone in that journey of growing older? Could it be because, especially as Americans, we want to “win” in life? In this culture if you do not achieve a high social standing, get an excellent job, or create a beautiful family life – whatever that looks like – you have accomplished nothing. At the very least, you have to win at something in your life in order to meet societal expectations. But we all know that we have a limited time to accomplish these goals. As each day passes, the stress of homework, of getting good grades, of hunting for the right internships and jobs, of day-to-day work makes us fearful and makes us question if we are doing enough. The question on all of our minds is whether anyone can really succeed in all these so-called important parts of life. Can anyone really do what it takes in all these aspects of life? To complete all the societal expectations we have been given?

As each day passes, the stress of homework, of getting good grades, of hunting for the right internships and jobs, of day-to-day work make us fearful and make us question if we are doing enough.

After a birthday, we are often reminded of the unpleasantries of age. We are reminded that we are growing older, that we are running out of time to accomplish our goals, and that we are unable to do everything we want in one day. Often we compare ourselves to others; deciding that we have not done enough, we are irritated when we find ourselves unable to catch up with all the other people who are (obviously!) doing far better than we are. If we aren’t married by the end of sophomore year, it feels as if we are behind everyone who was already ready for their life at that stage. 

Often we compare ourselves to others.

 But, maybe we can find solace in growing older. We are wilting flowers. Time charges on no matter what we do in order to stop it. In fact, it never stops. But, we can try our best with the time we have. As wilting flowers, we remain beautiful, seen through the eyes of our Creator as the daisies He has clothed. This is a painful image. Growing old means painful joints, the loss of youthful appearances, the loss of memory and our minds; it is watching those we love the most struggle, falter, fall, and leave us behind. When a flower wilts, it never returns to its original state. But the Lord still sees these flowers as beautiful, even with their lost petals, with their broken stems, with their brown wilted pieces. He sees us as He does the flowers of the field, even with all our faults, and all of our fears of growing older, of running out of time. He still sees us as beautiful, and this is where we can find comfort.

We are wilting flowers.

Anne Love is a sophomore majoring in American Studies and minoring in Spanish.