posted October 03, 2007 02:15 PM         

The other day a young person asked me how I felt about being old. I was taken aback, for I do not think of myself as old. Upon seeing my reaction, she was immediately embarrassed, but I explained that it was an interesting question, and I would ponder it, and let her know. 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 sometimes 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 (who looks like my mother!), 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 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).

posted October 03, 2007 02:36 PM         

I actually can't wait to be old, less pressure. I love this quote by Confucius

quote:

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Old age, believe me, is a good and pleasant thing. It is true you are gently shouldered off the stage, but then you are given such a comfortable front stall as spectator.

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posted October 03, 2007 03:11 PM         

I agree... that quote is priceless!

posted October 03, 2007 04:38 PM         

I love 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 (if I feel like it)."

So true!!! Bring on dessert!! Brownies and milk

posted October 03, 2007 08:12 PM         

One of the things I think is so great is that it shows how we go from an often critical mindset towards a compassionate one, especially with ourselves. Instead of holding everyone and ourselves up to impossible standards, criticizing left and right, we learn to accept life for what it brings us and enjoy it. I know I've never known my mother to be as happy as she now in her "old" age and she told me the other day, "Well, somewhere along the way I stopped caring that I was "failing" at someone else's idea of success, whether it was financially or physically or religiously or whatever. Now I am free to take each moment as it comes and enjoy it for what it's worth to me... which at this point, is a lot, lol."

posted October 03, 2007 10:22 PM         

Your mom and I must be around the same age since she expressed just the way it is with me at this stage of my life.

posted October 04, 2007 08:47 AM         

I've sent it to friends and family of all ages, too.

posted October 04, 2007 09:25 AM         

I was thinking of using babelfish(sp?) to make it quick but I should just take the time to do it myself and be accurate.