Ripening

It is sad to grow old but nice to ripen.

Growing old is a toughie. Many people do a good job with the first and second thirds of their life but the third third is by and large less well lived by most. That’s why I have this tattoo on my forearm. 

It doesn’t mean “seize the day”. The correct translation is “pluck the day” – Roman poet Horace was using a horticultural metaphor. That C is a fruit. It aligns with Bardot’s “ripen”. It’s hard to lose those youthful looks but there is much satisfaction and pleasure to be had from gaining a modicum of wisdom and understanding.