One of my most exciting achievements growing up as a child was planting a mango tree and a cashew tree. It didn’t feel like an achievement at the time, but unlike the beans, maize and okro that I planted that brought fruit within three months, the mango and cashew just kept on growing without any results for five years. Interestingly I had the opportunity of going to the house where I grew up 35 years ago, and mango and cashew trees are still there. Many families have passed through the house, but the mango and cashew trees have kept producing.
The simple law with agriculture is that some things will bear fruit fast, while some will take some time. Be rest assured, though, that lateness many times may also come with longevity. So don’t despair if time is passing and your fame is not yet sung; the gestation period of greatness is usually longer than the gestation period of normal. The pregnancy of rats is two weeks, and their lifespan is 2years. The pregnancy of elephants can take 22 months, but it lives for 65 years.
Here are the stories of a few people who achieved great things in their old age. Perhaps you can find your age mate there and get some comfort from knowing it’s not over for you yet.
Grandma Moses: Anna Mary Robertson Moses, better known as Grandma Moses, started painting at the age of 76, and she quickly became a popular folk artist. Over the course of her career, she produced thousands of paintings, many of which are now displayed in museums around the world. She continued to paint until the age of 101.
Paul Cézanne: The French artist Paul Cézanne is considered one of the most important figures in the development of modern art. However, his fame didn’t come until late in life. He was in his 50s before his work began to receive recognition, and he continued to paint and innovate until his death at age 67.
Laura Ingalls Wilder: The author of the beloved Little House on the Prairie series didn’t start writing until she was in her 60s. Her first book, Little House in the Big Woods, was published when she was 65 years old, and she went on to write several more books in the series, which have since become classics of children’s literature.
Frank McCourt: The Irish-American author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning memoir Angela’s Ashes didn’t publish his first book until he was in his 60s. Before that, he had worked as a teacher in New York City for many years. However, Angela’s Ashes was an instant success, and it launched McCourt’s career as a writer.
Peter Mark Roget: The British physician and lexicographer is best known for his work on the Thesaurus of English Words and Phrases, which he began compiling in his 70s. The thesaurus was published when he was 73 years old, and it remains a popular reference work to this day.
Grandma Gatewood: Emma Gatewood, better known as Grandma Gatewood, was the first woman to hike the entire Appalachian Trail, which she did at the age of 67. She went on to complete the trail two more times, becoming a celebrated figure in the hiking community.
Tao Porchon-Lynch: A Indian-American yoga instructor and dancer, was still teaching yoga classes and performing dance routines into her 100s. She was a Guinness World Record holder as the oldest yoga instructor in the world and an inspiration to people of all ages.
Julia Child: The American chef and author, best known for her groundbreaking cookbook “Mastering the Art of French Cooking,” didn’t start cooking until she was in her 30s. She didn’t become famous until much later in life when she hosted the television show “The French Chef” in her 50s.
Benjamin Franklin: One of America’s Founding Fathers, Benjamin Franklin was a statesman, author, and inventor who accomplished much in his long life. He was 70 years old when he signed the US Constitution, and he continued to be an important figure in politics and science until his death at age 84.
Stan Lee: The creator of many of Marvel Comics’ most iconic characters, including Spider-Man, the X-Men, and the Hulk, didn’t start working for Marvel until he was in his 40s. He continued to write and edit comic books well into his 90s, and he remains a beloved figure in popular culture.
Mary Wesley: The British author didn’t publish her first novel until she was in her 70s. Over the course of her career, she wrote ten novels, including “The Camomile Lawn,” which was adapted into a successful television series.
Charles Eugster: The Swiss-British bodybuilder and rower began competing in his 80s and set multiple world records in his age group. He was also an advocate for healthy ageing and wrote a book, “Age is Just a Number,” which aimed to inspire others to stay active and healthy in their later years.
Yes, and this popular one…Harland Sanders: Better known as Colonel Sanders, the founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) didn’t start the KFC chain until he was 65 years old. Before that, he had worked at various jobs, including a steam engine stoker, a railroad worker, a lawyer, and a gas station operator. Today, KFC is a global brand with thousands of locations around the world.
Don’t disqualify yourself or give up on yourself because you are advancing in age. You are alive; you have more years to live. Maximize your opportunities until you are 102, you have no excuse for not achieving greatness.
Kind Regards,
Adeolu Akinyemi.
