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 sometime 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, 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&60'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 grooveson 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!
MAY YOU ALWAYS HAVE A RAINBOW OF SMILES ON YOUR FACE AND IN YOUR
HEART FOREVER AND EVER! FRIENDS FOREVER

I applaude you!

Awesome

hooray!!! life does seem to start at fifty... got to join to know its true!!!!

Beautiful!!!

wow

Dragon -- i feel exactly the same way girl

Bravo!!!!!! I wish, I'd said that!

Bravo!! I totally agree, I believe at my age it is important to be comfortable in my own skin! I really wish more people would realise how the aging process is part of who we are, we can't escape it, so why not embrace it? Hey...that rhymed! I have lived through the 50's, 60's, 70's, etc. and with each passing decade I have enjoyed the journey. Have there been sad times, absolutely, but with pain comes the challenged of renewing ourselves and welcoming new joys. Like you I look in the mirror and I see the changes that make me question was I ever really young? But I know the answers, there is the history that lies in the pages of my life and I truly believe that we are forever young in our minds. I have become this wild, wacky and zany personality, I laugh a lot everyday, it keeps me sane. There is a naughty side to me that seems to shock younger people but all I have to say to them is Hey, you are just arriving at where I've been and I hope you have as much fun as I have! Thanks for your heartwarming post!!

Fantastic

That started by having the question would you be young again if you could and I am happy with my age and where i am in my life through both the good times and the bad and everything in between. I guess I have learned that how you treat others shows the person you are inside.

Dragon, your far from old, but a GREAT writer. You called getting older very accurately. Admire your thought process & foresight. Keep it up, would enjoy reading more.

You go girl! I am 59 and could not have said it more eloquently. I know I am right there with you!!!!!!

i Guess it takes being a grandma to 42 to get you there I feel age is just a state of mind and F*CK everything else