The Fountain of Youth
Wow! I have just learned I have found “The Fountain of Youth,” according to the famous musician Pablo Canals, who has written, “As long as you can admire and love, then one is young forever.” I find it easy to admire what many talented people have done, and it is easy for me to love because God has blessed me in so many ways; therefore, I should have a long life. I hope so, anyway.
For example, I admire the many people who have the ability to put words together and take us to another place or another time. Recently our book club finished The Tender Land by William Kent Krueger, a wonderful story about the adventures of four young people during the Great Depression. Shirley Jackson, through her short story, “The Lottery” demonstrates so well the darkness that can be found in humanity. In his poetry, Gerard Manley Hopkins uses the exact right words to praise God. J. K. Rowling illustrates the importance of friendship, the value of loyalty, and that good ultimately conquers evil with her Harry Potter stories.
These are just four examples of the great amount of great literature written in our language going as far back as Chaucer and Shakespeare that open up and help explain the human condition. I greatly admire all these authors and read as often as I can.
Added to this, I admire all the gifted people who can put tones of sound together and bless us with marvelous music. From the Chamber Music of Mozart and the sympathies of Beethoven and other great composers to the modern music of today, I don’t have to remind you of all the music we have which surrounds us just about everywhere we are.
I admire doctors who have spent many hours learning about our bodies; I admire artists like my sister who can take colors and produce beautiful pictures on canvas I admire athletes who train their bodies to perform unbelievable physical acts. Since I used to golf some, I especially admire those people who can hit a golf ball so straight, so far, and putt so well.