The Hidden Gift of Aging: Building a Library of Experiences

If you ask famous people about aging, you'll hear different stories. Mick Jagger says, "There's nothing good about aging." Richard Gere calls aging "a privilege." Clint Eastwood acknowledges the losses but refuses to let old age define him. Surprisingly, after listening to all three, I realized they aren't really disagreeing.

Jagger says aging means losing physical ability. You can't move as quickly, your body won't cooperate, and you're forced into playing a different role. He compared it to suddenly being assigned goalkeeper in soccer—you simply can't do what you once could.

Yet, almost without realizing it, he also describes one of aging's greatest gifts. Over time, our tastes become more refined. We move from drinking Boone's Farm to appreciating fine wine. We discover jazz, opera, world music, and cuisines we'd never have considered in our twenties.

As you age, you transition from just wanting more (quantity) to wanting better (quality). Because of varied experiences, you have a library of music and food in your head, and your understanding and joy become multi-layered. He calls this accumulation of experience his library. His mind has built a massive library of references over time. You don't just hear a song; you hear it in the context of every song you've ever loved, making the enjoyment multi-layered.

Jagger describes this as building a "library." Every experience—every meal, every concert, every friendship—is added to the shelves. We don't just hear a piece of music anymore. We hear it alongside decades of memories. Every new experience connects to dozens of old ones, making the enjoyment richer than it could ever have been when we were young.

Eastwood focuses on what we all recognize: the body weakens, friends disappear, and the world becomes quieter. My friend's dad, at age 95, commented, "I'm the only tree left in the forest." Yet Eastwood refuses to surrender mentally. His philosophy is simple: stay curious, stay active, and don't let "the old man in."

Richard Gere is 76 years old. He speaks about the importance of being present and cherishing every phase of life. He has frequently expressed a positive outlook about aging, noting: "I have aged, but my heart is still young; we are still the same age in our soul. I know this is the perfect age; every year is special and precious. Don't regret growing old; it's a privilege that not everyone gets."

I’m lucky to live in a community where people are still active and know the value of friendships and connections.  While our bulletin board reminds us every day of people in our community who have passed, those in memory notices are surrounded by notices of activities and music. We have a full calendar of events – everything from lectures by our local university, musical events, social events such as cards and games, and exercise classes.

When I lament about my weakening body, like Jagger, Eastwood, and Gere, I’m grateful for the accumulated experiences and the richness my library of food, music, and friendships has brought to my life.

Two weeks ago, several of us tried Bicyclette Cookshop, a new restaurant promising "a vibrant culinary experience." It delivered. Every bite really was a party in my mouth. Lamb kebabs with green harissa. Onion Rings with Iberico ham and Manchego Cheese, Chicken liver pâté with massaman-curried onions. Ramp pierogi with golden raisin conserva.

As if onion rings aren't bad enough - Bicyclette Cookshop adds cheese and ham - so decadent & yummy!

Twenty-five-year-old Sue would have looked at that menu and ordered a hamburger. She probably would never have gone to that restaurant.

Today, after decades of exploring different cuisines, every unfamiliar flavor reminded me of something I'd tasted before while introducing something entirely new. Learning to appreciate cuisines like Thai, Persian, and Indian food is another way our library of experiences continues to grow. That's the advantage of having a well-stocked library.

Opera was another acquired taste. Until my forties, I thought it was mostly people singing loudly in languages I didn't understand. Then a manager encouraged me to hear it live, and I watched Luciano Pavarotti sing "Ave Maria" during Pope John Paul II's 1979 visit to Chicago. I gave opera a chance. I've loved it ever since.

So, despite the aches, loss of capability, and loss of friends, I’ve built a huge repertoire of friends, sights, tastes, and sounds I can delight in in a way I could never have done when I was 20. So I can experience joy in life despite my aging body.

Jagger is right. Aging isn't particularly pleasant. Eastwood is right. We lose strength, flexibility, and people we love. Gere is also right. Growing older is a privilege.

My body doesn't work the way it once did, but my library has never been richer. It holds decades of friendships, music, travel, books, restaurants, and experiences that allow me to appreciate life in ways twenty-year-old Sue never could.

Maybe that's the trade-off. We lose some physical abilities, but we gain something just as valuable: the ability to savor life more deeply.

And when I think about it that way, growing older doesn't seem like such a bad bargain.

I'd love to hear from you. Use the comments to tell me:

• How has your library of experiences grown?

• Do you revisit old favorites, or are you still discovering new music, foods, places, and friendships?

• What has surprised you most about getting older?

References

1. Mick Jagger Can't Name One Good Thing About Getting Old - The New York Times Interview, YouTube.com, Released July 10, 2026

2. Clint Eastwood, Live Healthy Life's Better, Facebook.com, April 25, 2026

3. Richard Gere's Thoughts on Family and Aging, YouTube.com, March 14, 2025

4. Lindsay Lowe, Happy 70th Birthday, Richard Gere! His Best Quotes on Aging, Bravery and Kindness, Parage.com, August 31, 2019.