Years ago when I was a 15-year old teenager I happened to be at the birthday party of a 90-year old matriarch in my extended family. She had more than her fair share of tragedy, having outlived her husband and four of her kids who died tragic deaths as adults.

Despite this she still had her full wits about her and more than a bit of spunk. When my dad would drive her to mass she would give me a snap on the ass if I was climbing into the car ahead of her too slowly.

So on her special day I thought to ask her… “Em, today is your 90th birthday, which means that your physical body is now 90 years old. But how old are you really? How old do you feel the spirit inside you is?”

She paused ever so briefly, leaned to me, and confided…

“I’m 18.”