THE WISDOM OF THE IVYVERSE

       Everyone begins his or her life as a young person, and if one is lucky enough to become an old person, it is inevitable that youth will soon be regarded as a precious gift. Older people frequently comment that their eyes are not what they once were, or express that youth is wasted on the young. Take it from Tabitha:

She teased me about my youth, telling me one day I'd see what it was like to not have the boundless energy of a child. . . . —Adele, Negative One, 0052

Or from Nicholas:

“You are quite flexible . . . Enjoy it, your movements will not always be so free.” —Nicholas, Book 4, Chapter 33

       It’s not just youth that you should be grateful for; just count your blessings. As soon as they’re taken away, you see how lucky you’ve been, and may find yourself thanking your stars for what you still have; in Ivy’s case, when she gets seriously ill and can’t get out of bed, her energy suddenly becomes twice as helpful:

I had never in my life been so thankful that I was telekinetic. . . . I just felt so anemic that I thought I would die if I lifted my hand, but my energy was as strong as ever. . . . —Ivy, Book 2, Chapter 18

       And Ami, Ivy’s friend from voice lessons, finds out that something as commonplace as walking is not always a given when she gets in an accident and must use crutches to get around. She misses the easy transportation of walking:

“. . . I just sort of clomp along. I feel like such a frump. I can’t enjoy anything when I have to use my crutches to practically drag myself around.” —Ami, Book 3, Chapter 6

       Some people can’t read, or can’t eat their favorite foods, or can no longer play their favorite sport. It’s easy to lose something precious, without realizing its worth until it is gone.

       Try to be aware of and thankful for the blessings that have been bestowed upon you, even if they’re simple things like being able to see or keeping a good job. They might not be there forever.