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Monday, February 16, 2009

Old Age is a Gift

I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful life, my loving
family for less gray hair or a flatter belly. As I've aged, I've become
kinder to myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend..
I don't chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or for not making
my bed, or for buying that silly cement gecko that I didn't need, but
looks so avant-garde on my patio. I am entitled to a treat, to be messy,
to be extravagant.

I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon; before they
understood the great freedom that comes with aging.

Whose business is it if I choose to read or play on the computer until 4
AM and sleep until noon? I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes
of the 60 &70's, and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love
... I will.

I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging
body, and will dive into the waves with abandon if I choose to, despite
the pitying glances from the jet set.

They, too, will get old.
I know I am sometimes forgetful.
But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten. And I eventually
remember the important things.

Sure, over the years my heart has been broken. How can your heart not
break when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers,
or even when somebody's beloved pet gets hit by a car? But broken hearts
are what give us strength and understanding and
compassion. A heart never broken is pristine and sterile and will never
know the joy of being imperfect.

I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning gray,
and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my
face.
So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their
hair could turn silver.

As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what
other people think. I don't question myself anymore.
I've even earned the right to be wrong.

So, to answer your question, I like being old. It has set me free. I like
the person I have become. I am not going to live forever,
but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have
been, or worrying about what will be. And I shall eat dessert every single
day(if I feel like it).

Anonymous

(Pass on by Aunt)

5 comments:

Unknown said...

Loved the poem - it is worthy of printing out as a reminder on those rare days when I am my own worst enemy.

linda.myshrall said...

This certainly puts it all into perspective, doesn't it?

Today, I will smile when my bones creak!

Michelle said...

Living long enough to enjoy and truly like what you are is a gift if your lucky enough to make it to experience it. I too like what I see in the mirror, like myself as a whole and don't live for others approval anymore. You don't like me, then so be it. One more point I share with you is that it is easier to be more positive which helps being more accepting of others short comings that don't seem so short to me anymore. It's easier to like others too. Nothing wrong with being young and we've all been there but they too will get old and their outlook hopefully will change. Great blog.

_Dragonfly_ said...

"As I've aged, I've become
kinder to myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend"...I think that if you really matched this goal you are BLESSED...you know becoming one's own best friend is the right way to experiment happiness and real joy on earth...old age is different from being 25 or 35 but what really matters is feeling young within us...yes...there are many positive aspects:you become more mature and self confident.

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