There is a picture I like taken of me near the end of high school. It is summertime and I am at a lake. I have a tan and my torso is the classic V shape. A combination of track, football, good genetics and the vigor of youth yielded a happy result of which I am proud. To me it is literally my picture of good health. The truth is though, that at the time it was taken, if I had seen it then, I would have likely been critical that there was a little bit of acne on my face. It is only with the patina of time that I am able to view myself more objectively.
These days, as a 46 year old man, I am even more critical of current photos. The cold fact is that the beautiful head of hair I once had is now gone and the fight now is more whether my torso will be more pear shaped or a basic square. Still, I realize that with enough patina of time, say when and if I am lucky enough to reach 70, I may yet look back at some of these current pictures and admire the vigor of my "youth".
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