A Leftie Perspective: In praise of age

Thoughts-

We asked our Lefties to share their love for the people in their lives who occupy totally different demographics to them.

WHO’S YOUR FAVOURITE OLDER PERSON AND WHAT DO THEY TEACH YOU?

My dad. How to compartmentalise things and stay calm in stress.

My deceased Aboriginal elders. Connection to land and spirit. Some songwriters with stories to tell.

My nan. She’s currently travelling through the Italian countryside with her friends (she’s almost 80). She teaches me to live life fully and make connections everywhere you go.

My late grandma who taught me to be adventurous, catch all the crabs, collect all the shells, explore all the caves, dive from tall rocks but also to stop and then enjoy a simple moment eating a corn cob while looking at the sun setting into the sea.

As I’ve gotten older I’ve come to appreciate my grandparents a lot more, growing up in a time where technology wasn’t as prevalent and genuine connections and community were a massive part of their life. I hope when I’m that age I’ll be able to remember the names, faces and lessons of everyone who was a part of my life.

Whang-od Oggay. That you can be a maddog at any age. Plus that a 103 year old can be smoking hot.

WHO’S YOUR FAVOURITE YOUNGER PERSON AND WHAT DO THEY TEACH YOU?

My little brother. How to be joyful and creative and unashamed of being yourself.

Greta T. Against many odds she stands for environmental action against popular politics and established patriarchy

My nephew Coco. That anything can be fun if you bring the right attitude to it.

My 13 year old cousin is teaching my a lot about navigating love and friendships in the modern world – it’s tough. She’s taught me a lot about exploring identity.

My younger brother (22) but meeting him and you’d think he was a lot older. He’s mature, level headed, and teaches me to have fun while also being a responsible member of society

My cousins’s son Nicoló. He is 11, shy and pensive, loves books and drawing but is also a football fanatic. He does not care about showing his friends that he is a manly man yet and he is always apologetically himself. I hope the world never changes him.

My younger brother Kyle, whose infectious humour, smile, and spirit, taught me how to better connect with the people around me.

 

I’m not interested in age. People who tell me their age are silly. You’re as old as you feel.

– Elizabeth Arden