Monday, February 09, 2009

To Age Gracefully

I received this in an email and absolutely loved it. I know that as I get older I have started to worry about "what will be", so this struck a chord deep within. It's worth reading, worth thinking about seriously. After all, we are all, each and every one of us, growing older.

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 kinder 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 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).

Anonymous

5 comments:

catslady said...

I had a large grey streak in my hair before I was in my 30's. It's been totally grey/white for a long time (inherited from my dad). I only dyed it once and absolutely hated it. This is me and I accept it. I have a harder time trying to forget the past (not the good times of course) - but I'm working on it!

Brandy said...

I decided long ago to try and accept myself for who I am. That doesn't mean I'm not my own worst critic, but I am self aware. And I'm aware that silver strands are starting to pop up with more frequency, that it's almost impossible for me to lose weight and that yeah, I deserve that handful of Almond M&M's. *G*

Bailey Stewart said...

You got almond M&M's????

Brandy said...

I found some at WW!

Bebo said...

I agree... I'd love to lose a good 15lbs, but you know, it's OK! And I really love my gray hair, even if some people think it makes me look "washed out". Yeah, so I've been thru the wringer a few times! I EARNED every single one of those gray hairs!