Aging with Love and Wisdom

Aging has always been a topic that filled me with a mixture of reverence and fear. Growing up in Belize, I was surrounded by the profound wisdom of my grandparents, a source of inspiration and enlightenment. Their teachings, rooted in the cycles of nature, shaped my understanding of life, love, and aging.

My grandfather, a wise man who knew the forest like the back of his hand, taught me the importance of respecting nature. I remember the ritual of asking permission from a tree before cutting a branch off, a gesture of humility and respect that I carry with me to this day. He believed that what you took would last a lifetime if you asked for nature's blessing. This wisdom shaped my understanding of life, love, and aging.

As I grew older and discovered my true self, I began to fear aging. The idea of being trans, old, and poor haunted me. I couldn't shake the worry that I might face my later years alone, struggling against both societal prejudice and the challenges of aging. For many trans people, this fear is all too real. Discrimination and lack of adequate healthcare can make old age particularly difficult, and the isolation that can come with it only adds to the burden.

However, my grandparents' enduring love for each other, even in their old age, gave me a glimmer of hope. They showed me that aging could be a time of deep connection and contentment. Yet, my fears persisted.

A few weeks ago, while walking in the park with my dogs, I came across an elderly couple who seemed to embody the very love and wisdom my grandparents had. I captured that moment with my mobile camera. They walked hand in hand, stopping frequently to hug each other. It was a simple yet profound display of affection that not only made me smile but also filled me with a sense of optimism and hope for my future.

This encounter reminded me that while I may not have wealth, I do have a family—a loving husband and two wonderful children—who bring joy and comfort to my life. Together, we can face the future, and I actually find myself looking forward to growing old and watching our hair turn gray.

Ultimately, it is not wealth that defines a happy old age but the love and connections we nurture along the way. My indigenous roots taught me the value of respect, love, and balance. These lessons have guided me through life and will continue to do so as I age. And now, instead of fearing the future, I embrace it with hope, reassured and comforted by the love of my family, just as my grandparents did.