Growing Old!!?

Question

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 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 dad!), 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 grey 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 biscuit, 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 4AM 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 trunks that are 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 not only falling out but 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)
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!

HOPE THIS GAVE YOU A SMILE.

Answer 1

Tell me where you live! I want to join you in the surf and drink wine with you on your patio to admire The Great Gecko! We will ponder together on how we waste so much time when we were young on what other people thought of us - and how much fun it is now that we don't care!

We can spend our days reading newspapers to each other and between us we will fix all the problems of the world because we are now SO wise! And then we shall wear whatever we want to wear and stroll along outside with the serenity that comes with knowing that we enjoyed what we did when we did it - but we don't have to do it again - and what's more, WE SURVIVED IT!

Youth is wasted on the young my friend! But in my view - the young are welcome to it - it's the hardest schoolroom there is!
But get through it and you come out this side of it with gratitude, serenity and generosity of spirit (on a good day!).
You have!

Congratulations on encapsulating with such grace and humour our 'condition'! Well written and entertaining!

Catch a star you old fool!!

Answer 2

Not long ago I too realised just how "comfortable " I had become with myself.I of course am not happy with aches and pains but am thankfully not as embarrassed by my physical imperfections as I used to be.I am more inclined to" let it all hang out" and am not forever adjusting my make up or worrying what people think of me.I wondered if it could be because I have finally reached the same age as the people ,I myself ,felt the most comfortable with as a child and young adult.----My parents and all the old aunties who doted on me.I can now identify with them.I do not think I would like to trade this,"new me" for the younger version even without the wrinkles(sorry laughter lines!)I hope you will continue in this vain for many years to come --I certainly intend to.

Answer 3

Growing up

Answer 4

views on life change the older one gets.
my 7 year old son would think thirty is old,i myself being older would say 50 is old,if i make it to 50 i may change my views and say 70.
The older i get i get wiser,the body changes and sometimes not sure who the girl is in the mirror myself but i still feel young at heart.
It is sad at the age i am now that older members of my family have are now moving on from this life but i except this is how it is to be from now on.
I do silly things that makes me feel old and reflect on my youth and how the world has changed.
But i feel joy for being alive and do not fear death as i know that death being the last chapter is something i can not stop.


kindest regards

x Kitti x

Answer 5

It didnt make me smile, no it made me cry.
My dad died some 6 years back, I never told him I loved him, that was because I wasnt raised to express emotion that way. I miss him a lot now, and most of all cause he's no longer here and I can never tell him again.
I love my flawed body and I have learnt a lot from this long message. Thank you so much, wish I grow to appreciate myself this much when I grow old. Its a good thing you dont feel old, I am just 24 and I feel really old.

Thank you so much.

Answer 6

O how wonderful , I'm glad I am not the only 1 that feels this way, My Daughter says you are not old till you reach 65, I have 8 years to go till then ,Carry on being young, feeling the way you do,loving your life, Good on you.

Answer 7

i am really impressed that u feel so positive about ageing, as i am absolutely terrified of getting older, my life is passing me by and i am not making the most of it. i am only 26 but am not making a great effort to enjoy life and you really put me to shame. i dont want to get old and sit there and think i should have done this or i should have done that, i am still young enough to do those things and i will certainly try.

Answer 8

that was beautiful. As a teen growing old was my biggest fear. Now, with 40 not too far away, my biggest fear is not getting the chance to grow old.



ps. Mary T, where exactly does it say that he was tempting hot young girls with money? I suggest you actually read questions before commenting. I wish I could get the thumbs down thing to work for me, I really do.

Answer 9

Thank you for this, I have been dreading it, but it does have some compensations as you have so wonderfully explained. Like you I have lost friends and loved ones, but where there's life there's hope. With tears and laughter i go on, it's not easy, but life is not a dress rehearsal, and we have to make the most of the one we have.

Answer 10

Hi Bill, Beautifully put!!! I to am getting up there in age but the way you put everything it was very peaceful and relaxing.You did put a smile on my face at times. All I can say, Just Beautiful growing old.
Lol
A Friend.
poppy1