Fountain of Youth?

Saturday, June 27, 2009

I watched an interesting segment on 20/20 last night about a girl who is 16 years old and has never aged mentally past 9 months. Physically, she's the size of a toddler and is unable to walk. She has two older sisters and one younger. In a succession of family photos, you see the sisters age while she stays exactly the same.

She's likely the only person like this in the world and geneticists are studying her to try to find out why she's such an anomaly. Could she hold the secret to the coveted Fountain of Youth?

A few months back, I read about a woman in her 30's who had an extraordinary memory. She never forgot anything. She knew exactly what event happened on a particular day, who was there and what the weather was. Initially I thought, how fantastic would that be? I could ace every test, never miss a birthday and avoid the social embarassment of forgetting someone's name. Then I thought about it again.

And this little girl last night made me revisit it. Sure, it would be fantastic to remember essentially everything and everyone that you've ever crossed paths with. And how wonderful to never age. But along with remembering the minutiae of life that would make you a great cocktail party conversationalist, what about all the pain? We know that time heals all wounds so can you imagine never being able to forget the pain over the death of a loved one or the sting of a breakup?

Don't get me wrong, I would love to have a cellulite free body and the energy of a 5 year old, but the last 42 years have brought me a clarity and understanding that I wouldn't trade for anything.

Not even the Fountain of Youth.

14 comments

  1. Well said, Chrissy. Although, like everyone, I'd love to be able to go back to my teen years knowing what I know now . . . the things I'd do differently . . .

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  2. Would love to be able to have the skin, body, and leave caution to the wind of my youth, but like you would not trade what I know now for anything....And I'm glad I didn't know then what I know now....I would never of had any fun.

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  3. I've become a cynic of late. And it would figure that if I were to get the "fountain of youth' it would stick me in that awkward ugly stage.

    OH! I'm still IN the awkward ugly stage! I must have found that fountain first!!
    :-)

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  4. Ooh, interesting post. Is making me think. Hmm...Yeah, I'd do it. I'd love to get stuck at age 34. I was thin, no wrinkles, no gray hair and single.

    Shit! I was going through my divorce, no Chris, no money, the kids were still at home.

    Neverf**king mind. I like it the way it is. Whew!

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  5. Very well said. It's taken me this long to become someone I'm comfortable being - I can't imagine having to relive all the "bumps" along the road to getting here. The ass of a 16 year old would be nice though...

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  6. I'm very grateful that I've always looked forward to the progression of my life. I can honestly say that I love where I'm at right now (at 53). I feel healthier, energized, yet more relaxed and comfortable with who I am than I've ever been.

    I enjoyed my childhood/young adulthood, but have never felt the desire to go back and capture it.

    My life seems to get freer as I get older.

    Excellent post, Chrissy!

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  7. Chris,
    I always think that, too. But then we wouldn't have had any fun!

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  8. Funny Girl,
    I'm with you. I just responded to Chris that we wouldn't have had any fun and then I saw that you wrote the same thing!

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  9. Travel Girl,
    Nope, I wouldn't want to go back and do it again, either. The angst! But a nice tight bod wouldn't be so bad.

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  10. Nancy....Nancy....whatever! You're crazy.

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  11. Theresa,
    See how it all works out the way it's supposed to? :-)

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  12. Ron,
    Well said. "freer" that's so true!

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  13. Wow - very glad JB pointed me in your direction, I'll be sure to come back. Brilliant post and brilliantly put about how forgetting and getting over certain things is a blessing.

    Anna

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  14. Thanks, Anna! Otherwise, we would all be sucking our thumbs in a fetal position in the corner.

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C'mon, you know you want to say it..

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