Well, that was a depressing experience. My passport was approaching expiration and I chose to renew it online. As part of the process, I was asked to provide a digital photo of myself. Since I really didn’t have anything recent handy, I just raised up my phone and snapped a quick selfie.
The depressing part was when I compared the selfie to my photo on the expiring passport, a photo which was taken ten years ago. You don’t really feel your face and head aging. It just sort of sneaks up on you. My hair was gray, there were new lines on my forehead, wrinkles on my neck and puffiness under my eyes. On my previous photo I looked like a spry mature adult. On the new one I looked like an old guy. There was a lot of change in ten years.
The aging process is a thief in the night. So gradual you don’t feel it taking place. But rest assured the clock is ticking. Treasure every day. Make the most of every opportunity. Love and appreciate being loved. Don’t let a passport photo take you by surprise.