Who Says I’m Old?

The website reads:

Old People—That's everyone 26 and older. You read that right. If you’re 26+ we consider you officially “old.” This is an organization for young people.

I don’t consider myself old, even though I am more than twice the age that the website www.DoSomething.org considers “old.” When someone calls me “Mam”, I look around to see who they are talking to.

The first time I really thought about the meaning of a number associated with age was when we lived in Vail, Colorado. I watched 70-year-old Ben Krueger ski the moguls on a black-diamond ski run and look like he was sauntering down the street. Age didn’t define what he was able to do.

Then a few years later, when I was teaching classes at the University of Utah and getting my master’s degree, I became friends with 75-year-old Harold Goodro. He taught classes in outdoor survival skills, camping and rock climbing. I took a rock climbing class from him, a master who had climbed the tallest mountains on every continent. It was a phenomenal experience learning life lessons.

The Do Something.org website also says:

But that doesn't mean we don’t value old people. That includes parents, teachers, counselors, religious or community leaders, mentors, alumni, and friends. So long as you believe in the power of young people to do these campaigns without you, then we’d love your help.

Today’s gift was to give money to the organization Do Something.org that is one of the largest organizations for young people affecting social change. It has 2.5 million members tackling campaigns that impact causes such as, poverty, violence, environment and anything else that will make a difference in the world. It is exciting to see young folks getting involved in grassroots volunteering. I don’t mind being called “old” when it is for a good cause.

In Giving,
Robin