How does it feel to be older?

The piece you are about to read was not written by me and I don’t know to whom the credit goes but I agree with it, with the exception of keeping my hair the color it was in my youth, and since my birthday is coming up this month I thought it was timely! Enjoy it as I did!

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, 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 swimsuit that is stretched over an imperfect body 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 when someone’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 onto 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. 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 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) !