Off topic, but worth reading

[ruthi]

I came across this thread posted by Drivingmisslazey in the off topic area. Dont remember if that is spelled right. I never had the opportunity to meet him,wish I could have, but, he had a way with words.I posted a question yesterday about the ignore button, and, it seems after reading some of the responses, this might be a good read. I have never even looked in that area before, but, I can see why some choose to stay away from it. I just found this to very profound, and really make you think. Sometimes I think we all forget the good stuff in life that we have lived thru, as well as the bad. We are all lucky to have lived and loved, and if we make it to the gray hair stage, then it is a bonus. Even though sometimes my body tells me otherwise,lol. I know this is off topic, just thought in the course of things, it might be good for us to read, some for the first time, and maybe again for some others. All of us have different  things happen in our lives, which forms us and our opinions, likes, dislikes, etc. In the end, we all just want to live happy, healthy lives, as much as possible. Have a great day!!!               

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 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 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 the 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!

Thanks to the original poster of this message, gone but his words live on.

[Just Dallas]

Removed

[Dreamscape]

Ruthi,

Thank you for reminding me of that, it is a great story that some of us do not get to enjoy.

That is why each one of us is a unique individual, there was no one like us before us, and no one like us after we leave. Every loved one that has taken the journey that all of us will go on someday, is smiling down on all of us. That is how I see Richard, wishing every one would use Spell Check, he probably still is yelling at some of us, with a smile on his face.

Paul

[Van]

Thank you Ruthi. I needed this at this time, how could you have known?