Friday, February 20, 2009

Elder Attitude

Here's a bit of elder philosophy to keep you smiling over the weekend.

I am busy getting ready for my step-daughter's visit on Tuesday. Please bear with me as I ignore my blog for now. Posting will be 'iffy' but I'll try to add something once in a while to keep you visiting. ;-).

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!




MAY YOU ALWAYS HAVE A RAINBOW OF SMILES ON YOUR FACE AND IN YOUR HEART FOREVER AND EVER! FRIENDS FOREVER!


7 comments:

Joy Des Jardins said...

Even though I couldn't see any of the pictures to this post....this is a beautiful piece Darlene....I just love it. Thanks so much...and have a GREAT weekend too my dear friend. Love, Joy

Looking to the Stars said...

You are a glowing red rose in the garden of my heart.
Thank you for sharing such a beautiful post.
It was a lucky day when you came into my life! Have a blessed time with your family.

Darlene said...

Joy, No one could see them either because they disappeared. Larry the Cable Guy's photo vanished, too. I hate it when I publish it the photos' are there, but the next day they are missing. Dratted blogspot!!!

Lois, you are too kind. Thank you for your nice words.

Ugich Konitari said...

Darlene,

Great post. When you settle down after a great swim , to play some interesting games on your computer, say, at 1 am, and you feel an irresistable urge to have icecream, remember to have an extra scoop on my behalf.....

Darlene said...

Ugich, I will have that extra scoop of ice cream, but at 8 PM when I am falling asleep in front of the TV. ;-)

Anonymous said...

Darlene,

You and I are about the same age my Mom was when I wrote all the funny stories about her.


Now I suppose my kids are writing funny stories about me...

That's OK as long as they write them with the same love and affection that I wrote mine....

One Woman's Journey - a journal being written from Woodhaven - her cottage in the woods. said...

Darlene, you warm my heart and make me smile. You are very special and dear to this One Woman. Just want to tell you.