People tend to see only the transitory things in life, like the stubble fields of harvest.  We tend to overlook the rich harvests of deeds done, loves loved and sufferings gone through with courage and dignity.

We have no need to pity older people.  Maybe they don't have as many opportunities or possibilities in their remaining years.  What they do have is values realised, meanings fulfilled, potential actualised.  Nobody can ever remove these assets from their pasts.

(Both from Victor Frankl in his book, "Man's Search for Meaning.")