GROWING OLDER

As  I've aged, I've become kinder to myself, and less critical of myself.  I've become my own friend. 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, or sleep until noon? I will dance  with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 50, 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).