As birthdays pass us by and we grow in age, the exciting idea of another birthday for some turns into a day we dread because it reminds us that the blessings of youthfulness are leaving us. We are sometimes even reminded that we are coming closer to the end of our life here on earth. But if you had the chance, would you trade all the wisdom and experiences you've gained for the abilities and beauty of youth? Would you be grateful for the opportunities you've had to learn and grow and that you are still blessed with such opportunities because you have been allowed to continue your life? An apostle of the Lord, Boyd K. Packer, shared the following:
"I reached the age of 68. I felt impressed to start what I called an 'Unfinished Composition.' The first part of that work goes like this:
I had a thought the other night,
A thought profound and deep.
It came when I was too worn down,
Too tired to go to sleep.
I’d had a very busy day
And pondered on my fate.
The thought was this:
When I was young, I wasn't 68!
I could walk without a limp;
I had no shoulder pain.
I could read a line through twice
And quote it back again.
I could work for endless hours
And hardly stop to breathe.
And things that now I cannot do
I mastered then with ease.
If I could now turn back the years,
If that were mine to choose,
I would not barter age for youth,
I’d have too much to lose.
I am quite content to move ahead,
To yield my youth, however grand.
The thing I’d lose if I went back
Is what I understand.
Ten years later, I decided to add a few more lines to that poem:
Ten years have flown to who knows where
And with them much of pain.
A metal hip erased my limp;
I walk quite straight again.
Another plate holds neck bones fast—
A wonderful creation!
It backed my polio away;
I’ve joined the stiff-necked generation.
The signs of aging can be seen.
Those things will not get better.
The only thing that grows in strength
With me is my forgetter.
You ask, 'Do I remember you?'
Of course, you’re much the same.
Now don’t go getting all upset
If I can’t recall your name.
I would agree I’ve learned some things
I did not want to know,
But age has brought those precious truths
That make the spirit grow.
Of all the blessings that have come,
The best thing in my life
Is the companionship and comfort
I get from my dear wife.
Our children all have married well,
With families of their own,
With children and grandchildren,
How soon they all have grown.
I have not changed my mind one bit
About regaining youth.
We’re meant to age, for with it
Comes a knowledge of the truth.
You ask, 'What will the future bring?
Just what will be my fate?'
I’ll go along and not complain.
Ask when I’m 88!
And last year I added these lines:
And now you see I’m 88.The years have flown so fast.
I walked, I limped, I held a cane,
And now I ride at last.
I take a nap now and again,
But priesthood power remains.
For all the physical things I lack
There are great spiritual gains.
I have traveled the world a million miles
And another million too.
And with the help of satellites,
My journeys are not through.
I now can say with all certainty
That I know and love the Lord.
I can testify with them of old
As I preach His holy word.
I know what He felt in Gethsemane
Is too much to comprehend.
I know He did it all for us;
We have no greater Friend.
I know that He will come anew
With power and in glory.
I know I will see Him once again
At the end of my life’s story.
I’ll kneel before His wounded feet;
I’ll feel His Spirit glow.
My whispering, quivering voice will say,
'My Lord, my God, I know.'"
The time we have on this earth is a blessing, let us all be grateful for it, and do all that we can to learn of our purpose here and improve from year to year, or even day to day.
