"I'm too old to...."
Never mind, because in light of Warina Zaya Bahou, that excuse just crawled in the corner, released one last pathetic whimper, and died of asphyxiation.
Today at 2:00 p.m., Bahou, born in 1900, will become the second oldest person to become a naturalized citizen of the United States (who was the oldest? Fifteen minutes of intense googling did not reveal an answer).
The first time I tried the excuse I was just 14 years old. After playing violin for 4 years, I lamented that I wished I had chosen cello as my instrument, but it was too late to switch instruments- I was too far along in my musical career. I was too old. (insert eye roll here)
It's an easy excuse, one that is always standing by, waiting for the opportunity to jump to the aid. Pass by an opportunity 10 years ago? It's too late now. You're too old to begin something new now. Like Waterboy, though, the "mama always says" battles the creepy "I'm too old" excuse. My mama always said to me, "Well, two years are going to pass, one way or the other. At then end of those two years you will have either accomplished this or not. Either way, you'll be 2 years older. Saying it's too late isn't going to stop the two years from happening."
I wonder whether a similar voice whispered to Bahou. I don't know how long she worked toward naturalization, but even if it took 10 years, that would mean she didn't begin it until she was over 100. Did her mama's ghost tell her, "Well, in 10 years, you will be 111, there's no stopping that, and either you will be a U.S. citizen or you won't. Which do you choose?"
Suddenly, I'm feeling young, spry, and full of potential.
