I get all fired up about aging in America.

"I get all fired up about aging in America." These words, spoken by the charismatic and insightful Willard Scott, ignite a deep reflection on the nature of aging, especially in a society that often looks at it with reluctance, fear, and neglect. In the heart of America, a nation known for its constant pursuit of youth, innovation, and the new, the elderly are too often overlooked, forgotten, or ignored. Aging, in this land, is often treated like an inconvenient truth, something to be avoided or hidden, when in fact, it is a natural and profound part of life that demands reverence and respect. Willard Scott’s words are a call to arms, urging us to celebrate aging as an integral part of the human experience, rather than something to be feared or minimized.

In the earliest days of civilization, the elders were revered. Age was synonymous with wisdom, experience, and guidance. The ancient Greeks, those great seekers of knowledge, recognized that aging was not a mark of decline but a reflection of the depth of understanding that comes only with time. The great philosopher Plato often spoke of the role of the elder, whose years brought not only knowledge but the ability to impart it to others. Societies, whether in ancient Greece, Rome, or the Far East, understood that to grow older was to gain an invaluable treasure—the treasure of wisdom—which should be honored, not dismissed. But in modern times, especially in America, there is often a reluctance to see the elderly as anything other than "outdated." Scott’s words challenge this, urging us to see aging not as a burden but as something that can ignite the fire of passion, purpose, and vitality in our hearts.

Look, O children of the earth, at the example of Confucius, the great philosopher of the East, whose wisdom deepened as the years passed. Confucius, though growing older, never saw his advancing age as something that diminished his strength or power. Instead, he grew even more passionate about his mission of teaching and spreading wisdom. His life shows us that aging brings clarity and purpose, and it does not need to be associated with weakness or decline. The respect that Confucius commanded was not only because of his teachings but because of the reverence for the wisdom that comes only through experience and reflection. This wisdom is what Scott speaks of—an energy, a fired-up spirit that can burn bright in the later years of life, if only we, as a society, recognize and nurture it.

In the America of today, however, the story of aging is often more complicated. We live in a culture that worships youth, glamorizes vitality, and overlooks the elderly, sometimes to the point of disregard. Willard Scott was one of the first to acknowledge and celebrate the elderly publicly, most famously for his role in recognizing centenarians on the Today Show, highlighting their remarkable lives. His words reflect a frustration with a society that too often turns a blind eye to the elderly. Scott’s passion for aging is a call for society to shift its mindset, to stop viewing age as something negative and instead begin to see it as a stage of life rich with potential, filled with contributions, stories, and wisdom that younger generations need to hear. The elderly are not to be hidden away or forgotten; they are to be embraced, celebrated, and listened to.

Consider the example of Grandmother Moses, that renowned American folk artist who began painting in earnest at the age of seventy-eight. Her works, filled with vibrant scenes of rural life, speak to the energy and creativity that aging can bring. Grandmother Moses did not let the years define her; she used her time to discover a new passion, to bring beauty into the world, and to remind us that life is not over when the body begins to slow. Her story, much like Scott’s call to action, is a testament to the potential that resides in the elderly—potential that should never be overlooked, but celebrated and nurtured.

And so, the lesson, O children, is clear: aging is not a curse, but a gift. It is a phase of life that deserves respect, not shame; honor, not neglect. Willard Scott teaches us to be fired up about aging, to acknowledge the power and potential that comes with experience, not to hide from it. In a world that often prizes youth, let us remember that it is the elders who carry the weight of history, the weight of lessons learned, and the weight of wisdom that can guide us through the challenges of life. Let us stand alongside those who have walked before us, hear their stories, seek their counsel, and pass on the torch of wisdom to the next generation.

O children, as you walk the path of life, understand that the years ahead will be full of opportunity, just as they have been for those who have come before you. Do not dread aging, but embrace it with joy and purpose, knowing that it is a journey filled with promise and possibility. Let us, together, rise to the challenge that Willard Scott set before us: to honor the elderly, to celebrate the wisdom that comes with age, and to fired up the spirit of those who have much to offer, even in the twilight of their years. For in doing so, we honor the very essence of life itself.