Today's email - Old age

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Larryh86GT

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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 (or the monster press or wagon wheels) 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 often 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!
 
Great words.
I only wish that as we age, we could only impart some of the knowledge we aquire down to the younger generation, but it's not to be.
I try to tell the youngsters at work, you've got to learn from others mistakes. Protect your eyes, hearing and back or you'll live to regret it years down the road. But they just laugh.
 
As you age, you should drink more wine. We all know that wine contains sufites, and we know that sufites protect the wine while aging, so getting a few more sulfites in your diet HAS to be good for you. Have another glass as you enjoy your what life has given you.
 
I wish I could have said it as eloquently as you have. I've had too many friends die too soon, too young, before they had a chance to enjoy the freedoms you describe so well and I'm just beginning to really appreciate. Like you, I'm more happy with myself now, equally willing to be silly with my 14-mth old granddaughter or sage and serious with my 16-yr old grandson.
 
I wish I could have said it as eloquently as you have. I've had too many friends die too soon, too young, before they had a chance to enjoy the freedoms you describe so well and I'm just beginning to really appreciate. Like you, I'm more happy with myself now, equally willing to be silly with my 14-mth old granddaughter or sage and serious with my 16-yr old grandson.

I never saw the big deal of being a grandparent until I became one. I grew up not knowing my grandparents and I see now what I missed.
 

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