Youngest, Oldest

I used to hate being the youngest here, the youngest there, the youngest wherever I went. My parents enrolled me in first grade at age five. Without K-12 in those days,  I graduated from college at age 18. 

In all the church activities (summer camp, conference, seminar), I was the youngest. I was also the youngest faculty member in a university—my students were all older. So I strove to look old. I wore outfits that adult people wore: blazers, high-heeled shoes, make-up. No jeans or sneakers. I styled my hair in a severe bun. 

Fast forward to 2024. 

Now I am the oldest there, the oldest here, and the oldest wherever I go. Where have the good-young-days gone?  I could be stubborn, though. I still look for new things to learn and defy the adage, "You can't teach old dogs new tricks."  

In the mall one day, while I was gawking at distressed jeans, wondering if I still could summon the  nerve to wear them, the salesgirl asked, “For your granddaughter?” 

I was appalled, so I snapped, “I have no granddaughter!” 

That should have given her the hint, but she pushed, “Oh, for a grandniece then?”  

I could have left the store in a huff, with a vow never (cancel culture) to return, but the grace of good humor prevailed and I joked, laughing, “I was thinking if I could buy it for myself to wear in class to shock my Gen-Z students.”     

She guffawed; I giggled. 

In moments like this, Psalm 71 is uplifting. The psalmist talks about God’s presence throughout his life. “Yes, you have been with me from birth; from my mother’s womb you have cared for me. No wonder I am always praising you!” (Psalm 71:6 NLT) 

When the Psalmist was older, he proclaimed in verse 18, “Now that I am old and gray, do not abandon me, O God. Let me proclaim your power to this new generation, your mighty miracles to all who come after me.” 

Waking up hale and sound every morning, I remember God’s faithfulness—from my youngest years to my oldest days.