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        Daily Chat >> General Posts >> Old Age is a Gift
        
(Message started by: ClusterChuck on May 3^rd, 2008, 2:57am)

Title: Old Age is a Gift
Post by ClusterChuck on May 3^rd, 2008, 2:57am

I wish I had written this, but I didn't. It sure fits my philosophy of age, though!

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

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 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.

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 50's, 60's, & 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)

Chuck, the old man and DAMN proud of it!

Title: Re: Old Age is a Gift
Post by LeLimey on May 3^rd, 2008, 4:17am

I love it - thank you Chuck.. pretty well fits how I see life too!

Title: Re: Old Age is a Gift
Post by Grandma_Sweet_Boy on May 3^rd, 2008, 6:09am

Works for me. ;) Thanks Chuck.

Carol

Title: Re: Old Age is a Gift
Post by kayarr on May 3^rd, 2008, 8:02am

chuck :-* :)

Title: Re: Old Age is a Gift
Post by Paul98 on May 3^rd, 2008, 8:49am

And the fact that you have been where the younger have yet to go.......wisdom!

-P.

Title: Re: Old Age is a Gift
Post by Redd on May 3^rd, 2008, 10:12am

Thanks Chuck I needed that.

Title: Re: Old Age is a Gift
Post by Langa on May 3^rd, 2008, 10:27am

Thank you Chucky - :-*.

Love,
Langa

Title: Re: Old Age is a Gift
Post by DonnaH_again on May 3^rd, 2008, 10:29am

Wow, Chuck. Sometimes we really need to read something like that.

Now tell me, what did I do right to earn the first stage of a turkey neck? ;)

Title: Re: Old Age is a Gift
Post by Kirk on May 3^rd, 2008, 12:52pm

Thanks kid. I need to re-read that every now and then.

Gotta smoke? [smiley=smokin.gif]

Title: Re: Old Age is a Gift
Post by Charlie on May 4^th, 2008, 2:01am

Thanks Chuck........ I'm there.

Charlie http://www.netsync.net/users/charlies/gifs/grandad.gif