Have you seen The Curious Case of Benjamin Button? It’s a 2008 romantic fantasy film starring Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett. The storyline follows a man born in 1918 with the physical challenges of an 80+ year old who ages backward to infancy over 85 years.
In the film, Benjamin experiences life, adventure, and even love… in reverse! We observe the beauty and tragedy of time. It is poignant and touching. And somewhat depressing.
Watching people age can shock us or seem quite normal. It all depends on how many years have passed since the last time we saw them in person on in pictures.
I bring this topic up because May is Older Americans Month. It’s quite likely that none of your friends know this. And why should they? Unless, of course, they’re seniors looking for the benefits we older aging ones are always keeping our eyes open for. Like the ever popular “senior discount.”
So what is Older Americans Month all about? Glad you asked. Fortunately, there’s a website for this.
First established in 1963, when only 17 million living Americans had reached their 65th birthday. Back then, “about a third of older Americans lived in poverty. There were few programs to meet their needs.”
This was addressed with members of the National Council of Senior Citizens and President John Kennedy. (His mother probably dragged him into that meeting!)
As the story goes, May became a time to acknowledge the contributions of past and current older persons to our country — especially our patriots. Thus, a formal proclamation was drafted and every president since Kennedy has issued such. As we all know, presidents LOVE proclamations!
Today, it’s reported,
“Older Americans Month is celebrated across the country through ceremonies, events, fairs, and other such activities.”
Frankly, I’m not familiar with any of these. And I doubt I’d attend—even though I’m now 74 and would have earned the right to fall asleep—I mean—celebrate these scintillating gatherings.
As you might suspect, each year there’s a theme. No doubt these are decided by a committee. That order of business comes up right after the group all chimes in with the latest on their health maladies. If an older American minister is present, no doubt he’ll pray.
The themes are usually quite inspiring. A sampling includes, “Unleash the Power of Age” (2013), “Never Too Old to Play” (2012), and “Age My Way” (2022). I’m hearing a chorus of senior Sinatra fans joining hands on that one.
Here’s a personal favorite—“The Many Faces of Aging” (2001). I find I’m making more and more of those faces with each passing year. In 1993 no theme was selected. Perhaps after hours of arguments the chairman just wrapped up with,
“Oh…the heck with it!”
We older Americans can get quite feisty!
By now you’re likely begging me to tell you the theme for 2026. Here ’tis: “Champion Your Health.” We seniors are called to focus on “prevention, wellness, and personal responsibility as cornerstones of healthy aging.” (I have a hard enough time remembering “ball, flag, tree” for my annual physical!)
My wife and I have found a favorite senior joke to which many of our friends relate. It’s called the 3 Stages of Life. Do you know them? Youth. Middle age. And……..“You look good!” We hear this “compliment” often.
Bob Hope once said he found the secret to eternal youth. He lied about his age. And then…for us seniors, if you look back through all the years you’ve lived, the first thing you’ll notice is that you need a telescope. Nice, huh?
The Bible has many verses about aging. Moses’ Psalm 90, for example, offers these thoughts to contemplate:
“All our days pass away under your wrath; we finish our years with a moan. Our days may come to seventy years, or eighty, if our strength endures; yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away.” (Vss 9-10, NIV)
That Moses. He knew how to inspire! It’s told that he lived to be 120 years old with good eyesight. And good strength!
(Oh…that we all would be blessed in that way.)
Then God took him home…with just a wrinkle in time.
