Many observers say that aging seems to go with narrowed mind, rigid habits, less flexible movement, and general orneriness as experienced by those who interact with the person. Of course, viewed from the inside out, the incremental changes that come day by day do not seem to make one feel different to the self-images from younger days. In parallel to this general trajectory toward crotichiness there is also the path of deepening spiritual maturity and the ability to accommodate seemingly contradictory statements (cognitive dissonance). Accordingly, there may be a growing capacity to be forgiving of self and others, and an ability to slow down long enough to utter, "thank you, LORD," at times of delight or moments of irritation and annoyance.
The intersection of the ornery trajectory and the loving trajectory can make for a sweet-spot that produces a wonderful tension. One's mind and body go slower but one's heart goes deeper than before. Of course, not everyone experiences both of these directions singly or together; and not everyone lives into old age, either. But for those who do live on and who can identify and appreciate this counterbalancing narrower impatience with deeper patience, then much goodness can be said about it.
After all, the opposite of love is not hate (it is possible to hate something about a person while still holding them dear). Instead, the opposite of love and open-heartedness is fear and a close-pressed heart. So there is a great possibility to praise God in times of frustration while aging, even as the developmental arc leans toward short-temperedness. To an outside observer, maybe that abiding contentedness looks a lot like equanimity. But on the inside this expansiveness and letting go of self and defensiveness is a welcome release from the Vale of Tears and stresses of struggle in life's pushing and pulling.
Ideally, this elderhood sense of abiding joy will be "spiritual fruit" that naturally ripens from one's core nature; what lies in one's heart. But more realistically, perhaps, it takes some planning and intentional effort to walk and talk something like Jesus did, living out in human form the central idea that God is Love, as told in the Quaker song, "How Can I Keep from Singing," ---love is the Lord of heaven and Earth. By dwelling in that intersection where aging brings impatience and risks of frustration while maturity also brings deeper hearts and care of others then God's abundant life of love that overflows to others becomes normal and natural. It is the sweet-spot between impatience and forgiveness.
