I am nearly 60 years old. And some days I look like I am 60 years old. And that’s OK. If I have to choose between getting old or dying young, getting old is quite appealing.

A number of years ago, I had the chance to see a play on Broadway called “I’m Not Rappaport,” starring Ben Vereen and Judd Hirsch. It was the story of two elderly men who met each day on a bench in Central Park, recalled events in their lives, and discussed the challenges of getting old.

There was one line in the play that I will never forget, when Judd Hirsch said to Ben Vereen, “Unfortunately, in America, they value everything old, except people.”

More recently, media and industry have challenged contemporary culture by focusing on the public perception of beauty and the public attitude toward aging. Unilever, maker of Dove soap has launched a Campaign for Real Beauty. This global effort is meant to serve as a catalyst for change, widening the definition and discussion of beauty.

At last, a campaign that uncovers the beauty of women over 50!

In a fascinating video titled Evolution, the appearance of a young woman is dramatically changed right before your eyes, in order to create an image that is perceived as real, but in reality is fake. If you haven’t seen it, please take a look. Also, I encourage mothers to share it with their daughters.

In the meantime, all women, young, old, and in between, need to remember that every wrinkle, every roll, every stretch mark is evidence of those events that give meaning and memory to life. Wisdom comes with experience. Experience comes with age. It’s time to value everything old, including people.