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 beautiful
wife, 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 4AM
and sleep until
noon?
I will dance with
my wife 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)
And when that day
comes when the
good Lord above
calls me home, I
can look forward
to a life forever
with Him in
Heaven; all pain,
sorrow and grief
will be gone
forever, and I'll
see all my loved
ones and friends
again.
Author Unknown