MANILA, Philippines — One writer observed that the term “senior citizen” has worn thin. The new phrase is “chronologically gifted.”

So often said that age is not a time of life – it is a state of mind. Instead of counting years, we should instead count our interests in life so that we will not lose our sense of wonderment, curiosity, enthusiasm and zest for life.

History will show that many great men were achievers in their old age. Consider the following:-

• Titian painted his famous work, The Battle of Lepanto at age ninety-five (95) and his Last Supper at age ninety-nine (99);

• Adolph Zukor was Chairperson of Paramount Pictures at ninety-one (91);

• Corrie ten Boom was sharing the Gospel around the world in her eighties; going up the stairs to the 10th floor to evangelize people;

• Johann von Goethe finished Faust a few years before his death at age eighty-two (82);

• Winston Churchill returned to the House of Commons as a member of Parliament at age eighty (80);

• Alfred Tennyson published his famous poem, Crossing the Bar, at age eighty-three (83);

• Arturo Toscanini conducted an orchestra at age eighty-seven (87);

• Galileo made his greatest discovery at age seventy-three (73);

• Giuseppe Verde composed Othello at seventy-three (73); Falstaff in his seventies; and Te Deum at eighty-five (85);

• Michelangelo was still producing masterpieces at eighty-nine (89);

• At sixty-nine (69), missionary Hudson Taylor was still in the mission field opening up new territories in Indochina;

• Miguel Cervantes wrote Don Quixote when he was almost seventy (70) years old;

• Ignace Paderewski was still giving concerts before big audiences at seventy-nine (79);

• Benjamin Disraeli became Prime Minister of England for the second time at seventy (70);

• Benjamin Franklin helped frame the US Constitution at age eighty-one (81);

• Socrates gave his wise philosophies at seventy (70);

• Noah Webster wrote his dictionary at seventy (70);

(Reference: Quote Books by Zuck, Glenn Ekeren and Morgan)

Contrary to the belief of many, the appetite for adventure is not exclusive to the young. Remember 58-year-old James “Doc: Councilman (in 1979) who set a world record as the oldest person to swim the English Channel?

Sometimes we wonder why God let us get old. Here is one explanation from a president of a university:-

“Robertson Mc Quilkin, former esteemed president of Columbia International University in Columbia, South Carolina, once drove an elderly friend on an errand. She moved slowly and painfully, being crippled with arthritis.

“Robertson,” she asked as they drove along, “why does God let us get old and weak? Why must I hurt so?”

“I’m not sure,” McQuilkin replied, “but I have a theory.”

“What is it?”

“He hesitated to share it, but she insisted. This is what he said: “I think God has planned the strength and beauty of youth to be physical. But the strength and beauty of age is spiritual. We gradually lose the strength and beauty that is temporary, so we’ll be sure to concentrate on the strength and beauty which is forever.” (Reference: Story by Robert J. Morgan)

Let’s enjoy life and forget our age. The chronologically gifted sector of society should never regret growing old. Not everybody is given that privilege.

Not many of us are familiar with the story about Konrad Adenauer, then Chancellor at age ninety. Once when he had severe colds, Adenauer’s personal physician who was trying to cope up with his patient’s impatience said: “I am not a magician, I cannot make you young again.” Adenauer’s reply, “I haven’t asked you to. All I want is to go on getting older.”

Have a joyful day!