Silver threads among the gold

Silver threads among the gold were the words my Granny used for the passing of time and the getting of wisdom.

While younger it explained their grey hair and wrinkles, but maybe not so much for me, the wisdom. In our youth we rail against the wise words of the older, because ultimately they tell us that life can be awful, it can be unfair, it can be heartbreaking, and yet we will be grateful if we survive it to grey hair and wrinkles.

Watching my parents age and noticing the 'getting of wisdom' and the passing of time myself, I've come to understand the gentle, bitters sweet smile that lit up her eyes when she'd mention it.