Have you ever wondered why your mom held onto those old, yellowed kitchen utensils? You know, the ones that seemed outdated and worn, making you question why she didn’t just replace them with something new? I used to wonder the same. Why keep those tired, old things when you could easily buy something fresh and modern?
But today, I reached into my own kitchen drawer and pulled out a little scale I’ve had for 34 years. The bowl on top still looks pretty clean, though it’s lost the bright whiteness it once had. The scale itself? Well, it’s taken on a dull yellow hue, a sign of its age. Yet, here’s the thing—it still works perfectly. It’s simple, doesn’t require electricity, and is remarkably accurate. Why would I toss it out for a newer model that might not serve me as well?
Life is funny that way. It feels like just yesterday I bought that scale, and now here I am, marveling at how time has changed it—without me even noticing. But then, I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror, and I realize time hasn’t just been ticking away on that scale; it’s been working on me too. My hair, once dark brown, is now silver. My eyes, which used to be a rich brown, are now ringed with silver halos. My skin bears the creases and spots that mark the passage of time, and my body carries extra weight I can’t quite account for. While I feel pretty good, my body occasionally reminds me of old injuries and the toll of too many days spent at a work desk.
These days, I’m in bed by 9 PM, yet I’m up before the sun, making coffee by 4 AM, waiting for the first light to start my outdoor chores. My exterior may have aged, and my mind might not be as sharp as it once was, but I’m still useful, still practical. I’ve gained so much more experience along the way—why would I want to go back to who I was or trade this hard-earned wisdom for something “new”?
Life has brought me to this moment, and I’m better for every bump in the road, every experience that has shaped me. Just like that old scale, I may be yellowed with age, but I’m still here, still working just fine, with a few stories to tell along the way.