It takes a long time to become young.
Pablo Picasso
You have often heard me say that I think each year of my life has been better than the last. I am sure that to some extent my belief is the result of my inability to remember the bad stuff while remembering just the good stuff. It seems that my mind has the ability to put mostly fond events in my memory scarp book. But the greater reason is my ability to do what I do and not worry about the little stuff. They keep telling me that I am getting older but I think they are wrong, in a lot of ways I think I am getting younger. In that vein I thought I would share something an old radio friend sent me yesterday, pay attention and learn.
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 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).
~~~
The trick is growing up without growing old.
Casey Stengel
~~~
"Grandpa, grownups don’t pay any attention to me," said little Jimmy. Grandpa replied, "They don’t pay any attention to me too."
"Grandpa, sometimes grownups make fun of me. Do they make fun of you too?"
Grandpa said, "Yes, Son… me too."
"Grandpa, some days I get tired and have to rest in the afternoon."
"I know, Jimmy… I do too," said Grandpa.
"I love you, Grandpa," said little Jimmy.
"I love you too, Jimmy," said Grandpa.
"I wish more people told me that," said Jimmy.
"Me too," answered Grandpa.
~~~
Any married man should forget his mistakes; there’s no use in two people remembering the same thing.
~~~
She said:
1. The Female always makes THE RULES.
2. THE RULES are subject to change at any time without prior notification.
3. No Male can possibly know all THE RULES.
4. If the Female suspects the Male knows all THE RULES she must immediately change some or all of THE RULES.
5. The Female is never wrong.
6. If the Female is wrong, it is due to a misunderstanding that was a direct result of something the Male did or said wrong.
7. The Male must apologize immediately for causing said misunderstanding.
8. The Female may change her mind at any time.
9. The Male must never change his mind without the express written consent of the Female.
10. The Female has every right to be angry or upset at any time.
11. The Male must remain calm at all times unless the Female wants him to be angry and/or upset.
12. The Female must under no circumstances let the Male know whether she wants him to be angry and/or upset.
13. The Male is expected to be adept at mind reading.
14. The Female is ready when she is ready.
15. The Male must be ready at all times.
16. Any attempt to document THE RULES could result in bodily harm to the Male.
17. The Male who doesn’t abide by THE RULES can’t take the heat, lacks backbone and is a wimp.
18. THE RULES are no joke.
He said: Yes Mam
~~~
"Osborne’s Law"
Variables won’t; constants aren’t.
~~~
I’m so proud of my son, he’s decided on a career and he studies constantly. How much does a Gameboy Master make?
~~~
Isn’t it splendid to think of all the things there are to find out about?
It just makes me feel glad to be alive–it’s such an interesting world.
Lucy Montgomery
~~~
An English professor announced to the class; "There are two words I don’t allow in my class. One is gross and the other is cool."
From the back of the room a voice called out, "So, what are the words?
~~~
"Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go."
Oscar Wilde
~~~
Arriving home from work at my usual hour of 5 p.m., I discovered that it had not been one of my wife’s better days. Nothing I said or did seemed to be right. By 7 p.m., things had not changed, so I suggested I go outside, pretend I had just gotten home and start all over again. My wife agreed.
I went outside, came back in and with a big smile, announced, "Honey, I’m home!"
"And just where have you been?" she replied sharply. "It’s after seven o’clock!"
~~~
Father Time is not always a hard parent, and, though he tarries for none of his children, often lays his hand lightly upon those who have used him well; making them old men and women inexorably enough, but leaving their hearts and spirits young and in full vigor. With such people the grey head is but the impression of the old fellow’s hand in giving them his blessing, and every wrinkle but a notch in the quiet calendar of a well-spent life.
Charles Dickens
~~~
Stay well, do good work, and have fun.
Ray Mitchell
Indianapolis, Indiana
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