Getting older

[ERnurse]

Old Age, I decided, is agift.


I am now, probably for the first time in mylife, the person I have always wanted to be. Oh, not my body! I sometime despair over my body, the wrinkles, the baggyeyes, and the sagging butt. 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 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 untilnoon?





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 lovedone, 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 spam every single day. (If I feel like it)

[Buster]

Well said Rob...But I am still a 12 year old in a 50 year old body...Don't think I will ever grow up...Out maybe, but not up.and remember Spam is the answer....Also it's a tasty treat..Good post....Buster...

[anne]

Good one Rob

[echostar61]

A Very Good Post , Thank You .

Terri

[Bryan Jon]

Great post Rob!
(No spam for me though )

[RobbieD]

Wow; awesome. Thanks, dude, and well said!

[The TINMAN]

Great Post Rob ! Taking Naps is another Cool thing of getting Old cuz Ya don't have to be told to do it... Now it's just something that ya look forward to like spam !!

[majakldragon]

Growing older has always been mandatory from the day we are born. Now growing up is only for those who do not know how to live and have fun. This part has always been optional. I prefer not to grow up and stagnate. I would rather play in the dirt. At 47 mud pies are still great fun and entertainment. That elusive pull tab still brings excitement. I do know how to do the happy dance when I find something. The happy dance gets the heart pumping better than any old aerobics instructor and dull classmates. Many may laugh at my antics, but they are the ones that are really old. Laughter is the best medicine and I try to dole out this special elixir every chance I get. So while I may grow older each year, I refuse to grow up.
Andi

[bigbillinsc]

lucky for me my hair aint stayin around long to go grey. i was bald long b4 i ever felt old.

great post rob... very thought provoking

[Cash1977]

Rob-
I fell the same way. I'm glad I can finally do what I want, without worrying about what other people might think about it.

Getting old is not a curse, unless you make it one.

Happy Hunting!