The Gift

this is so nice and a great refresher...Thanks J!!

The other day a young person asked me how I felt about being old. I wastaken aback,for I do not think of myself as old. Upon seeing my reaction, he was immediately embarrassed, but Iexplained that it was an interesting question, and I would ponder it,and let him know.Growing Older, I decided, is a gift. I am now, probably for the firsttime in my life, the person I have always wanted to be. Oh, not my body. I sometime despair over my body .. the wrinkles, thebaggy eyes, and the cellulite. And often I am taken aback by that oldperson that lives in my mirror, but I don"t agonize over those thingsfor long. I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful life, my lovingfamily for less gray hair or a flatter belly. As I've aged, I've become more kind to myself, and less critical ofmyself.I've become my own friend. I don't chide myself for eating that extracookie, or for not making my bed, or for buying that silly cement geckothat I didn't need, but looks so av ante garde on my patio.I am entitled to be messy, to be extravagant, to smell the flowers.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 until4 a.m. and then sleep until ?? I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 50's 60's,and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love. I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulgingbody, and will dive into the waves with abandon if I choose to, despitethe pitying glances from the bikini set, (they, too, will get old ifthey're lucky).I know I am sometimes forgetful. But then again, some of life is justas well forgotten and I eventually remember the important things.Sure, over the years my heart has been broken. How can your heart notbreak when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even whena beloved pet gets hit by a car. But broken hearts are what give us strength and understanding andcompassion. A heart never broken is pristine and sterile and will neverknow 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 onmy face. So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their haircould 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 older. 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 notwaste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be.And I shall eat dessert every single day... if I want.Today, I wish you a day of ordinary miracles.Love simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave therest to God.