Ditter43

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).

hobo2000

Amen Ditter. When I turned 70, I decided that I was old enough to do what I liked, tell a few people off, shake my fist at crazy drivers and not feel bad, and I do wear purple, red or any other color I choose.

wolfkitty

I like it, Ditter!

nana katie

Were you reading my mind?

quiltinghere

Some of that is so very true - we should all appreciate every day we have...I'm trying to.

Quiltforme

Ok I am 38 and well I love this I decided when I was 30 to stop worrying about what others thought of me and take care of myself. I give myself permission to be me. Thank you for this I will keep it bookmarked!!! Ditter you are like another mom to me with all your words of wisdom and funny jokes keeps me feeling the pain!!!!

watterstide

Amen girlfriend!
today, i showed up at the grandsons soccer game, with a warm raggedy old quilt, my DD looked at me like i was from the moon.. "MOM, that blanket is disgusting,it is rupped, and has dog hairs on it! i will buy you a new one for Christmas"
ROFL! i told her i was to old to worry about what i looked like wrapped up in a old, well loved quilt" I also told her to wise up and not waste years on worry about such silly stuff.
Then i had a family baby shower..to attend. at 12 noon, "the outlaws" wanted to turn on the tv at the hall,to watch the U of M game..they voted me to be the one to turn it on..LOL! :shock:
your so right, it is so freeing to be old and not really give a hoot anymore. i wore my swim suit in texas at the community pool, my son said it looked nice on me.. :roll:
but i know i am a chubby redhead,that has seen better days! but gosh it was nice to hear him say such loving words!

i think i will copy and paste your words..and print it up, and live by it! Blessing my quilty friend..who always has a laugh for us!

MissM

I couldn't have said it any better. You go girl I am with you all the way. I like the freedom that comes with being older.

grammiepamie

This is great. I turn 65 soon and this is the way I live too. For many years I wasn't allowed to be myself. I had to be what someone else thought I should be and do what they thought I should do. Well, not anymore. Now they just tell me I"m crazy. I will continue to be who I am and believe me I am not crazy. Yea Ditter!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

littlehud

I love that ditter. I have mellowed as I got older. I laugh more. My DGD says you can always tell a grandma. Their face has "cracks" when the smile. I love my cracks. Most of them are smile lines.