Age

True age is such a difficult concept. A person might be in their mid-20s as a physical age, but their true mental/spiritual age could be many years older. Or younger.

I am 17. Already, I have seen death, disease, and other horrors. I have listened to friends talk about suicide and about killing others. I have met those that are too young for their body, and those that are too old. I have experienced things that I wouldn't wish upon anyone else, and others that I wish everyone could experience. I am at least slightly older than my physical age.

I know a man that has a hundred year old eyes. He has only lived on this planet for 23 years, but his eyes seem to have seen thousands. He has already seen the violence and destruction of war, and experienced some of the worst physical pain in existence. He has experienced love and heartbreak, along with betrayal. He has put the pieces of himself back together, even when others hid the keys. He is starting to find himself and become whole again, after many long years. He is much older than his physical age.

Another man I know has defied deaths grip. He is 28 years old, but has eluded death many times. He was born a twin, but his other half was stillborn. He used to ride a motorcycle, until a car hit him head on and caused many injuries, one of which should have been death. He had appendicitis a couple years ago, That went fine, until his intestines didn't wake up. This man should be dead, and that is one of the things I admire about him. He keeps his stability and strives to acquire even more knowledge than he has already. He is at least a bit older than his physical age.

My best friend doesn't want to grow up. She is 18, and alternates between acting like a child, teen, and true adult. She has the knowledge of a person many years older than her, but she doesn't want every aspect of the adult life. She enjoys many things that would be deemed 'too young' for her, but she doesn't care. She shows professionalism when needed, but also laughs at the little things. She is a general average age, matching her physical body (although she is a bit odd).

And my beloved, he is 24. He can be divided into two halves. Mental and emotional. Mental includes knowledge and thought processes. Emotional, well, thats obvious. His is a very logical person. He can think problems through and solve them in the way that makes the most sense to him. But he has trouble understanding why people feel what they do. He also has some troubles understanding why people look at others how they do. He understands some, but not all. Due to the lack of idea of responsibility, he is slightly younger than his physical age.

So as you can see, age is but a number. Granted, most people hover within a few years of their real age, but you can never judge a book by its cover. Take the time to learn about the person before you evaluate their personality. I hope I have not offended any of you that I mentioned but that is how you are seen. I look up to all of you.