Old buildings and cars have always fascinated me. Some people may see broken windows, torn screens, rust, and parts that don't work anymore or with functions that may have been replaced by newer versions or technology. Even old furniture, if not maintained, may be creaky, splintery, and just plain ugly.
Magnolia 25
Oldness is part of life, part of the endless cycle. It's natural and even beautiful if viewed from eternity. No one expects to physically live forever (unless you are one of those seeking immortality through technology, a futile effort.)
I love looking at photos of old people and buildings. I love imagining what the people were like in their youth, and who lived or worked in the buildings. I volunteered at a nursing home for a few years, and that's what I saw when I interacted with the residents. They had their own personalities; some were sweet, some were cantankerous, some hard to get along with, some patient, grateful, or funny. But I always tried to see them in my mind's eye as they were when youthful and full of life and promise. So many people see older folks as useless and expendable, but they have had a full life like the rest of us, with happiness, sorrow, joy, pain, anger, and beauty, and many memories of friends and family and experiences.
If we look at a life with eternity in mind, both past, present, and future, somehow it all fits in and makes sense. Even if we can't see it now.
But God can.
The Past Looking at the Present