Talk About a Great Way to Look at Life......

[Ann]

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, but I don't agonize over those things for long.

I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful life, and 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 avante garde on my patio. I am entitled to overeat, 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 a.m., and sleep until noon? I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 60'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 bikini set.

They, too, will get old.

I know I am sometimes forgetful. But then 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 a 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 turn 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. I can say "no", and mean it. I can say "yes", and mean it.

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.

[KC]

BRAVO, BRAVO, BRAVO!!!!! Your post has made my day!!

[Patkid]

Yes

[Don Wood]

Well said. We should cast aside indifference and make a difference. Don

[Kasey]

I know this is uplifting...especially since I, too, am 'old'. Yet I find myself crying over it! Geesh! I am so wimpy and weepy.

Thank you.

Kasey

[dadstimeon]

Ann,

Very well said.

Rich

[cathy]

Thanks Ann,

I've been down today , your words are powerful especially about losing our loved ones , thanks for lifting me up..

[Geri]

Amen!

Geri

[Fall54]

Ann,

How wonderfully said! Another Amen to that!!

God bless you,

Jane

[kamataca]

Perfect! That's very cool.

Kelly

[daggiesmom]

Boy, that was a great post!!!!!!!!! 100 percent agreed. So I guess alot of people feel like this, not just me! Let's go woop some a..! in the name of all we've been thru.

Joanie

[carolhg]

That is the most BEAUTIFUL thing that I have ever read. With your permission I am going to print it out and put it in a frame on my wall so that I can see it every day. THANK YOU!!!

Carol

[stand4hope]

Wow! I sure did like that, Ann! You are a great writer!

I don't care what other people think, either, well. . . .I haven't reached the point of reckless abandon and showing the bulges in the bathing suit yet . . . but, I'll work on it!

Love,

Peggy

[Ann]

Guys, I wish I could take credit for writing this. A friend emailed this to me and I had to share it with all of you. I'm sure it's OK to copy and frame. I just thought this was about the neatest thing I have ever read!

[shineladysue]

Thanks Ann,

I enjoyed it very much.

Love,

Sue

[Leslie221]

Thanks for sharing that. Gave me the kind of little half smile you get when you hear something so true it should have been obvious to you when you were 20 -but wasn't.

Leslie

[ginnyde]

Oh Ann, I just loved it. I too am going to print it out and hang it on my bulletin board. But I must confess to not having the guts to let either my gray hair or my bulges show, if it can be avoided.

[gail p-m]

Ann--

A wonderful post. Thank you so much.

gail p-m

[kimmek]

Thank you Ann.....I dont really consider myself old, although i know that 43 aint exactly a spring chicken, but the entire time i was reading your post all i could think of was my Mom and how this post so fit her. VERY VERY seldom do i see things that I forward on, just not something i do, i save them for sending them later but of course never do, this one has already been forwarded to Mom. Thank you. and I know she will thank you as well.

Kim

[melindasue37]

You couldn't have summed it all up better.

Absolutely amazing, thank you!!!

Hugs,

Melinda

[dchurchi]

Ann,

That was an amazing post, thank you for sharing it. My sister needs to read it as she thinks gaining one pound is a reason to be depressed for a week.

Debbie

Husband Alan DX small cell lung cancer Jan 10th 2005

[lilyjohn]

This is truly wonderful Ann. It is something that we all need to learn, not only about ourselves but the way we look at others

[Frank Lamb]

Well done,and really is a great way to take thanks.

[lindseysmom]

Nice post Ann.

Best Wisehs,

Dee