“To be human is to have a collection of memories that tells you who you are and how you got there.” Rosecrans Baldwin, an American novelist.
I think that’s true in large part. We are all tested by life and we remember our responses. Nonetheless, we change over time, so that who you are can continue to be challenging. We do surprise ourselves for the better and for the worse.
It has been said that in a long term marriage each spouse in a sense is married to several people. Our age and experience do affect who we are.
Although we have our ups and downs, including things we have said we would like to have back, I would hope by the grace of God you and I have become more loving and patient.
Patience itself is quite challenging to me. Even out of the rat race it’s hard to slow down, not that I was, or, any of you are rats.
Pilgrim on a Long, Long Journey 