He is an over eighty-year old, strong, Italian man.

        He is an example of knowing how to grow old. He has already realized the strength of youth has long gone away.

        However, it does not mean that he has accommodated himself. He does everything his body still allows him to.

        Up to some time ago, he still used to drive his car and. In certain times, taking his wife along, he would say  So long to his children and grandchildren and they would both hit the road together.

        A different place each time.

        Shall we go see this place? He would ask his wife, who was quite as old as himself.

        That is, he would ask for the sake of asking, because his wife, also as lively as himself, would always agree.

        They would just lock up their apartment and there they go to a hotel, a hot springs resort, a farm.

        Not too long ago, they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary and their children threw them a big party.

        He came to sight dressing the most beautiful and smart suit, he had had his moustache trimmed, his grey hair well combed and he was serious, concealing his emotion.

        She was wearing a beautiful long turquoise dress, enchanting his eyes, as if it were the first year of their relationship.

        Recently, friends from the Spiritist ideal decided to pay him a homage, for the years he has dedicated himself to the cause. For his activities, breaking new grounds, raising the flag of the Spiritist Doctrine in lands where it was just thriving timidly.

        Immediately, his memories and his ethics were set in motion.

        Why me? Before me there were others who did much more. And better.

        And he recalled his friend, who had introduced him to the Spiritist Doctrine and was there to hand him the homage and to whom homage was also paid.

        Deeply touched, he thanked all by saying he did not deserve such thing because from the Spiritst Doctrine he had received the best. He was then, a debtor.

        And he encouraged the youngers and the current workers to continue this blessed diffusion work, spreading light, clearing up minds and hearts.

        Everybody was moved.

        Despite having considerable assets and properties, he humble and vigorously embraced his friends.

        He enjoyed having good chats, despite his difficulty to hear sometimes.

        But he would then adjust his deaf aid device and interact.

        He did not bother to ask again, when he did not understand.

        Wisely, he did not speak unless he was completely sure he had understood the question properly.

        He knew to be silent when many were talking at the same time, making it difficult for him to catch the words.

        He still kept a childish look sometimes, showing that deep inside the juvenile energy had not died away.

        Thus, the other day during breakfast with friends, while everyone had already finished and started to talk at the table, he took a knife and dug it in a  dulce de leche jar .

        He brought the knife out full of the precious sweet , looked at his wife, exactly like a child does before doing something it knows is wrong to do, and licked it with delight.

        Everybody laughed. So did he. He had just done something juvenile, just like a child.

        After all, when we grow old wisely, we act like that.

        Mature in our actions, young in our thoughts and children for the joy of living each day intensely.

* * *

        Frivolous people who value only external things are afraid of getting old.

        Balanced people grow old smili ng. They know that the youth vigor is temporary and make the best of their maturity years to sow wisdom and harvest happiness.

        Happiness for having educated their children for the good and for the love. For having cultivated the kindness in their marriage. For having made strong friendships, despite the age, race, colour or social status.

        Let us learn from the ones who know how to grow old!

Spiritist Moment Team.
March 17 2008.