Something to Live by

[Joan J.]

I received this as an email and wanted to share it. Sometimes we get caught up in the exhausting pace of reality and forget what life is all about:

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 guard 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) and quilt till the sun comes up!!!

[Karen M.]

Hooray for you!!! I couldn't have put it any better than you have if I tried for years to compose how I feel about being what I affectionately call a "Geezerette" I am a formidable lady who loves life, my family, friends and all that it entails. It took a lot of laughs and worry to get these lines on this face and I own each and every one of them proudly. The chunky stuff that resides on my once svelte bod is a tribute to the good cooking and eating that happens at my house...
My arms have always been long enough to embrace my wonderful husband, my children and grandchildren when they need or want a hug, also occasionally to wrap around a friend in need and sometimes just to raise them up to the heavens in thanks for all the blessings in my life. So again I say Hooray to you for sharing these special thoughts with us on TQS. Thanks Vernalgrandma...Thanks
Karen

[Judy M.]

I was a little upset when I turned 50. Then I began to think about the wonderful life I had lived and all the wonderful people in it. I just became THANKFUL instead of depressed. Then when I turned 60, I just turned the gray hair into BLONDE! :lol: (actually, my hair dresser went a little crazy with the highlights and I've just kept it that way!) Judy in Torrance

[Judy M.]

Well said keep it up and you live a happy life HAppy

[Judy M.]

Celebrate every day! Enjoy the life that is there for you! There are no second takes! God is always good!

Maggie in E. Central Illinois

[Judy M.]

Vernalgrandma and Karen - what you both wrote is oh so true and how everyone should look at life. Thank you for sharing and reminding us all. Bobbi

[Anne B.]

I recently heard someone say, "The comfort of maturity trumps the excitement of youth." So true!

Anne in Vancouver, Canada, daring to think I'm mature ;0

[Anne B.]

Jenice

A Super Dupper Ditto!

"Live /Love/Happinness" yes Dance! Look at that crazy on the dance floor its ___Me!!! She is alittle loopy some times in Mexico!
Pete & Kat will bust there moves in Sept!!! LOL.

I'll proudly be 50 in Feb. I don't have gray hair as of yet I'm a late bloomer once again! Though I'm thinking of getting my hair cut shorter and frosting it then I'll look more my age,lol. I wore my hair short like that for years and boy is it much easier to take care of. Two or three curls brush & go!

Kathy

[Anne B.]

I am not what I once was nor am I yet what I will be.

Life is ever changing. All phases have their joys and sorrows. Just keep moving forward and find sometihing to laugh about in each day. Betty Ann in Rainy Florida

[Anne B.]

I am not what I once was nor am I yet what I will be.

Ooh, I like that one! Thanks, Betty Ann!

Anne in Vancouver, Canada

[phyllis f.]

My mother would always say, " Just keep living the world will unfold".

[Eileen K.]

All we can do is keep on keepin' on. I like BettyAnn's take on it. Sounds like Gibran.
eileenkny