I came upon these thoughts on AGING HAPPILY and wanted to share…

As I’ve aged…
I’ve become kinder to myself, and less critical of myself.
I’ve become my own friend.
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, or sleep until noon?
I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 50, 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 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 passes? 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
grey, 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)!