I am now, probably for the first time in my life, the person I have always wanted to be. Oh, not mybody! I sometimes despair over my body, the wrinkles, the baggyeyes, 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, for less gray hair or a flatter belly. As I've aged, I've become more kind to myself, and lesscritical 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.
Ihave 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 60s & 70s, 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 andsterile 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, 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!
Ma said
07:55 PM Apr 9, 2009
HERE HERE Wombat. In our book age is an attitude NOT a condition
The Gnome said
07:59 PM Apr 9, 2009
Thanks for that Wombat very mooving sentiments.Also I didn't need my glasses, which have a mind of their own & only appear when they want to.
mike and Judy said
05:49 AM Apr 10, 2009
Thank god that it was in large print ,I could read it
thank you
ibbo said
06:42 AM Apr 10, 2009
Wombat,thanks for that little gem.Also as mentioned the large font made reading a pleasure,makes you realise just how much your eyes change as you mature(Couldn't say age).When I first read it I thought Blimey the little Blue Pills have enlarged my eyesight lol.Cheers.Ibbo.
mike and Judy said
06:52 AM Apr 10, 2009
blimey, do they do that as well, so thats why they cost so much
drongo & wendy said
11:13 AM Apr 10, 2009
Great stuff Wombat, u could be my twin
sgntbilko said
07:11 PM Apr 10, 2009
Makes growing old worthwhile.
Thanks for that Wombat. Now I know I am not alone
I love the occassional Pie or Sausage Roll and would kill for a Vanilla slice, and now know I do not have to feel guilty.
Thought that everything rang true. Anyways what is Old? Who puts the number on it?
You are as young as you feel (not physically) but in heart.
Glad to be part of the older generation.
goldenyears said
06:02 PM Dec 17, 2018
love that wombat BRILLIANT !!!
Santa said
09:58 AM Dec 18, 2018
I appreciate and understand the sentiments expressed, however I suspect Judi Dench is more in touch with reality.
"
"Judi Dench: There's 'nothing good' about being 80 - bugger the wealth of knowledge"
Bertrand Russell is also reputed to have said "old age is a bugger.
Curmudgeonly? probably, however I do tend to see things for what they are and not as I would like them to be.
Wizardofoz said
09:02 PM Dec 18, 2018
A very nice and interesting post, it really outlines what old age should be...the most telling thing about that post to me is, the fact that it was posted in 2009 and every member that replied before the last 2, are now either long gone or dont post anymore!!!
The reflections of how people move on with the passing of time.
-- Edited by Wizardofoz on Tuesday 18th of December 2018 09:06:23 PM
-- Edited by Wizardofoz on Tuesday 18th of December 2018 09:07:20 PM
I am now, probably for the first time in my life, the person I have always wanted to be. Oh, not my body! I sometimes 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, 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.
Ihave 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 60s & 70s, 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 andsterile 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, 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!
love that wombat BRILLIANT !!!
I appreciate and understand the sentiments expressed, however I suspect Judi Dench is more in touch with reality.
"
"Judi Dench: There's 'nothing good' about being 80 - bugger the wealth of knowledge"
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/11456109/Judi-Dench-Theres-nothing-good-about-being-80-bugger-the-wealth-of-knowledge.html
Bertrand Russell is also reputed to have said "old age is a bugger.
Curmudgeonly? probably, however I do tend to see things for what they are and not as I would like them to be.
A very nice and interesting post, it really outlines what old age should be...the most telling thing about that post to me is, the fact that it was posted in 2009 and every member that replied before the last 2, are now either long gone or dont post anymore!!!
The reflections of how people move on with the passing of time.
-- Edited by Wizardofoz on Tuesday 18th of December 2018 09:06:23 PM
-- Edited by Wizardofoz on Tuesday 18th of December 2018 09:07:20 PM