TO MY FRIENDS - the ones old enough to understand

[brnidokiegurl 0]

The other day a young person asked me how I felt about being old. I was

taken aback, for I do not think of myself as old. Upon seeing my reaction,

she was immediately embarrassed, but I explained that it was an interesting

question, and I would ponder it, and let her know.

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 50,60&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 ... )

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!

FRIENDS FOREVER!

[Sinergy 3]

Huggies

[sj5 4]

Sweet messages.

[Ban Hammer 13,346]

Huggies

no, that's depends when you get older

[pedroh 21]

Huggies

no, that's depends when you get older

wahahhahahahahha

but they ain't huggies, they're called depend!

[suesue 0]

What a lovely post!!! I too am an oldie....... and having the time of my life!! I met my soulmate 18 months ago (he's an oldie too!!) and I've had the happiest 18 months of my life!!

To me, being an oldie means...

Having the freedom to do and wear what I want, nobody expects me to be trendy!!

Lots of discounts at Golden Corral, and other cool places,

Not having to work, and not having to justify not working...... I worked 40 years non stop !!

Being able to marry 3 months after meeting, without negative comments from others.

Being able to sit around the pool, go shopping, do nothing if I want to, watch Jerry Springer and Dr. Phil,just generally goof off all day without feeling I'm wasting my time!!

Not having to wait months before my next vacation....we can take off anywhere anytime!!!

And.... yes..... 'old gits' DO have a sex life!!!!

Really.... all you 'youngies' should look forward to getting old..... it's so cool...... I LOVE IT!!!!!!

Edited October 15, 2007 by suesue

[pedroh 21]

lol... being old doesn't exclude anyone from dressing decently... i've seen them old peoplez dressing with shorts and tight tshirts.. ughh.. decorum.. decorum

when i'm old im gonna hit the suits!! no 'bob's fishing store' hat and some ugly shoes

Edited October 15, 2007 by pedroh

[Nessa 23]

[Nagishkaw 510]

Just make sure you don't wear your pants up on your chest.

Edited October 15, 2007 by Nagishkaw

[pedroh 21]

Just make sure you don't wear your pants up on your waist.

[L_n_O 3]

great post!