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 avant 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 ageing.
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 (if they
are lucky).
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 any more. 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!
