"The Breathtaking Empty Space of An Open Door"

Yesterday I reread a short essay by Anne Morrow Lindbergh, from her wonderful book Gift from the Sea. It has spoken to me many times before, but each time I read it the words seem fresh, as if I am reading them for the first time. I am sharing parts of it with you today and next week. I hope you enjoy them too.
Beth

Is it not possible that middle age can be looked upon as a period of second flowering, second growth, even a kind of second adolescence? It is true that society in general does not help one accept this interpretation of the second half of life. And therefore this period of expanding is often tragically misunderstood...The signs that presage growth are so similar, it seems to me, to those in early adolescence: discontent, restlessness, doubt, despair, longing. But now these are interpreted falsely as signs of decay. In youth one does not as often misinterpret the signs: one accepts them, quite rightly, as growing pains. One takes them seriously, listens to the, follows where they lead. One is afraid. Naturally. Who is not afraid of pure space - the breathtaking empty space of an open door? ...

But in middle age, because of the false assumption that it is a period of decline, one interprets these life-signs, paradoxically, as signs of approaching death. Instead of facing them, one runs away, Anything, rather than face them. Anything rather than stand still and learn from them. One tries to cure the signs of growth: to exorcise them, as if they were devils, when really they might be angels of annunciation.

Angels of annunciation of what? Of a new stage in living when...one might be free for growth of mind, heart, talent; free at last for spiritual growth...