S
Steamboat Bill
Here is an e-mail my mother just sent me:
The other day a young person asked me how I felt about being old. I was taken aback, for I do not think of myself as old. Upon seeing my reaction, she was immediately embarrassed, but I explained that it was an interesting question, and I would ponder it, and let her know.
Old Age, I told her, 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 the wrinkles, the sagging, flat 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 look at my life as it now is.
I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful life, my loving family for less gray hair-not visible a flatter belly or that nice round butt.
As I've aged, I've become more kind to myself, and less critical of myself and of others. 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 silly things that I didn't need, like new puppies.
I am entitled to a treat, to be messy, to be extravagant on occasion.
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, play Bible music till the speakers scream and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love ... I will because I can.
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, I will mix chum and fish till I cannot stand the smell of my body from it all.
But will I have a good time—you betcha
I know sometimes my step is not so quick and I am sometimes forgetful, but there again, some of life is just as well forgotten.
And I eventually remember the important things like the love I have for my Kids, my grandkids and those who love me. For those who do not or create such chaos in my life that I cannot enjoy these wonderful years given to me--I prefer to not engage that thought and wish them well.
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 dies or you see your child’s heart ripped apart by the actions of another?
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 turn gray even if it does not show, and to have my youthful laughs forever etched into grooves on my face. So many have never laughed, and so many have died before they reached this year in their lives.
As you get older, it is easier to be positive.
You care less about what other people think. You question yourself only occasionally.
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. My life is today and will be every day that God lets me wake and enjoy another
And I shall eat dessert every single day. (If I feel like it)
Love,
Mom
The other day a young person asked me how I felt about being old. I was taken aback, for I do not think of myself as old. Upon seeing my reaction, she was immediately embarrassed, but I explained that it was an interesting question, and I would ponder it, and let her know.
Old Age, I told her, 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 the wrinkles, the sagging, flat 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 look at my life as it now is.
I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful life, my loving family for less gray hair-not visible a flatter belly or that nice round butt.
As I've aged, I've become more kind to myself, and less critical of myself and of others. 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 silly things that I didn't need, like new puppies.
I am entitled to a treat, to be messy, to be extravagant on occasion.
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, play Bible music till the speakers scream and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love ... I will because I can.
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, I will mix chum and fish till I cannot stand the smell of my body from it all.
But will I have a good time—you betcha
I know sometimes my step is not so quick and I am sometimes forgetful, but there again, some of life is just as well forgotten.
And I eventually remember the important things like the love I have for my Kids, my grandkids and those who love me. For those who do not or create such chaos in my life that I cannot enjoy these wonderful years given to me--I prefer to not engage that thought and wish them well.
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 dies or you see your child’s heart ripped apart by the actions of another?
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 turn gray even if it does not show, and to have my youthful laughs forever etched into grooves on my face. So many have never laughed, and so many have died before they reached this year in their lives.
As you get older, it is easier to be positive.
You care less about what other people think. You question yourself only occasionally.
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. My life is today and will be every day that God lets me wake and enjoy another
And I shall eat dessert every single day. (If I feel like it)
Love,
Mom
I will start by ignoring that my 4 year old told me that my stomach was not a belly - it was a butt and it was backwards! I'm going to Maui in 3 days and I am going to proudly display my backward tush in my bathing suit. Anyone recognize me let me stay in my state of denial 
