[Spirited] Good Old Days

FOR OLD TIMES SAKE

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 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 (who looks> >> like my mother!), but I don't agonize over those> >> things for long.> >>> >>> >> I would never trade> >> my a mazing 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 (or motorcycle) that I didn't need, but> >> looks so avante 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> >> a.m and sleep until noon ?> >>> >> I will dance with> >> myself to those wonderful tunes of the 50'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 importan t 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.> >>> >> 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