The Gift of Old Age {Insp}

"The Gift of Old Age"

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 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 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 60s &
70s, 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
passes away? 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.)

May Our Friendship Never Come Apart Especially
When It's Straight From The Heart!

May You Always Have A Rainbow Of Smiles
On Your Face And In Your Heart Forever And Ever!
Received on Sun Mar 16 09:14:01 2008