Old age, I decided, is a gift.
I am now, probably for the first time in my life, the person I
have always wanted to be. Oh, not my body! I sometime despair
over
my body ... the wrinkles, the baggy eyes, and the sagging butt.
And often I am taken aback by that old person that lives in my
mirror, but I don't agonize over those things for long.
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 more kind 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 avante garde on my
patio. I
am entitled to overeat, 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 a.m., and sleep until noon?
I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 60'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 bikini 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 a 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 turn
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. I can say "no", and mean it. I
can
say "yes", and mean it.
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.
Author unknown!
I am now, probably for the first time in my life, the person I
have always wanted to be. Oh, not my body! I sometime despair
over
my body ... the wrinkles, the baggy eyes, and the sagging butt.
And often I am taken aback by that old person that lives in my
mirror, but I don't agonize over those things for long.
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 more kind 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 avante garde on my
patio. I
am entitled to overeat, 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 a.m., and sleep until noon?
I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 60'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 bikini 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 a 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 turn
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. I can say "no", and mean it. I
can
say "yes", and mean it.
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.
Author unknown!
