She would have been 68 the year she passed away. That’s 19 years older than I am now. It seems so young, especially knowing that this month she would have been 90. That’s 22 years that life has been lived without my grandma.

As I think about aging, the culture nudges me to eliminate wrinkles and firm up sagging parts. My wellness coach promotes strength training for dwindling muscle mass. My friends tease me about my number of years and being “old.”

My grandma had gray hair and wrinkles but never seemed old to me. She always told me that she was a young girl trapped in an aging woman’s body. And now, I can understand her sentiments. I am about to have my first grandchild, but I don’t feel like a “grandma.” My mind knows more and is wiser than when I was younger, but I don’t think of myself as being “old.”

Ageism is how we think, how we feel or how we act toward ourselves and others based on age. It affects everyone from young to old but doesn’t benefit anyone.

When I look past a person’s age to see the value that they add, I am able to offer respect for who they are in the present moment.

Each person on the planet has been given a time and a season. Honoring each other’s presence and impact regardless of age can impact our own and other’s health and wellbeing.

Grandma taught me many lessons such as to hold tightly to my faith, to have an open door where people are welcomed and to love family fiercely. She loved reading and introduced me to one of my favorite books. I still use her recipes and drink hot water in the winter like she did. My love of flowers comes from walking around her yard as she pointed out the flower she proudly grew.

Perhaps she is no longer physically here, but I carry the impact of her life with me. And, I wonder what impact am I making.

Regardless of my age, each day is an opportunity to love well, share vulnerably from experience, serve those around me and offer whatever I have to give to those in need.