I would, I have, I will

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 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 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.
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!



Thank you, Linda, for sending this to me.
Lots of love to you and yours.