Getting Older
I'm long distance helping to plan my 40th High School Reunion
Aug. 19-20th, 2012
A classmate sent a wonderful "reflection on growing older" the other day and gave me permission to share on my blog!
But First, let me Share:
I'm having camera problems so I'm not able to post pictures of my latest stitching endeavors.
A Big Ol Hug to Marlene, Charity, and Carol for their Quilt Donations to Quilts for Hugs!!
I promise to post pictures as soon as I resolve my camera issue.
AND NOW:
GETTING OLDER
As I've aged, I've become kinder to myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend..
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 or 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).
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 or 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).
Lee Bird PHS class of 1971!!
Thank You Lee
Well said, there are definitely some good points about being older, especially eating dessert everyday!!
ReplyDeleteI would be heading to the 55th year reunion, if they had it...
ReplyDeleteGetting older is great...I just have to remember.....something....