As I've aged, I've become kinder to myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend.. I think about this over a good glass of red wine with a bit of sharp cheddar, comfort food.
I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging, its a right of passage. I think of them and their Families. R.I.P. my brothers.
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, play the air guitar and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love .. I will. And nap when I feel like it, the cat does.
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. Must be the Speedo!.
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. We call them wrinkles.
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. Nobody likes grumpiness.
You care less about what other people think. I don't question myself anymore. I’ve even earned the right to be wrong. And my wife will tell me,that is for sure!.
I want to thank the person that first wrote this letter and allows me the freedom to add to it my own thoughts. Thank you, your spirit will inspire others.No copy right issues, I hope!.
It helps to deal with the reality that I am older and yet not all that wise, but I am working on it. I find comfort in the laughter of children and their care free ways. It restores the feeling of youth. Just to be sure that we learn this lesson,God, has given us 3 Grandchildren to raise and teach them as we have been taught.
So,you know that I am going to live to at least 100 years of age,well that is the plan,so I going to do my darnest to full fill that honor given to us. They say it makes you younger?.It's not easy,but its worth it and I keep telling myself this everyday that I want to become angry with them. My, kids. Amen.
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. We have kids depending on us!.
And I shall eat dessert every single day (if I feel like it, before dinner if I want).
MAY OUR FRIENDSHIP NEVER COME APART ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S STRAIGHT
FROM THE HEART!
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