The American poet Ogden Nash, who is renowned for his fanciful and humorous writing, once penned a piece that reflected on the changes that time brings to our understanding of life. As they age, many people can identify with the subtle yet profound moment in human experience that he describes.

Think of life as a huge library with thousands of books, each one of which represents a different interaction with a person. These experiences feel new and different when we are young, like the first time we read a book by a different author. But as we enter middle age, our shelves begin to fill up. Every book we pick up starts to remind us of other books we already have on our shelf because we've read so many stories.

Nash's theory about meeting people in midlife is reflected in this metaphor. We have a plethora of relationships and experiences by this point. Every new person we encounter begins to remind us of someone from our past, maybe bringing back memories or arousing feelings we are accustomed to. The richness of our life's library makes it more difficult for these new acquaintances to stand out as wholly original entries, that's not to say they lack originality.

Nash's observation serves as a gentle reminder of the cycle of human interaction as well as a nod to the depth and complexity we acquire with age. Meeting familiar faces among new acquaintances can enhance our understanding of ourselves and others, much like going back over old books in a well-stocked library can provide fresh perspectives.