A Gift {Insp}

"A Gift"

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, he was
immediately embarrassed, but I explained that it was
an interesting question, and I would ponder it, and
let him know.

Growing Older, 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 cellulite.
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 be
messy, to be extravagant, to smell the flowers.

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 then sleep until -- ?

I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the
50s & 60s, 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. (if they're lucky)

I know I am sometimes forgetful. But then 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 older.
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 want).

Today, I wish you a day of ordinary miracles.

Love simply.
Love generously.
Care deeply.
Speak kindly.
Leave the rest to G~d.

LIVE WELL -
LAUGH OFTEN -
LOVE MUCH.
Received on Sun Sep 23 09:03:51 2007