Are you an observer?

AI-assisted summary

The author uses a front porch as a metaphor for the perspective gained with age.

As people age, their observational focus shifts from immediate self-interest to a broader understanding.

Reaching an older age allows for a more detached and panoramic view of life, free from competition.

I’m revisiting a piece I wrote a couple of years ago about an article "Reflections on a Porch and a Life," written by Elisabeth Egan, writer for the New York Times.

Not only did it bring up many fond memories of porch sitting, but it also inspired me to expand this unique metaphor.

When my kids were young, we lived in a house with a big, wide, elevated front porch. We purchased a sturdy porch swing that we anchored to the ceiling. It became a neighborhood gathering spot. We would spe