Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways - Cabernet in one hand - chocolate in the other - body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO-HOO, what a ride!!"

Monday, February 14, 2011

Be MY Valentine

This is from a e-mail we received and wanted to share it.

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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.
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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.
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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.

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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).


MAY OUR FRIENDSHIP NEVER COME APART, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S STRAIGHT FROM THE HEART! 
image         HAPPY VALENTINE DAY

ONE DAY CLOSER TO OUR DREAM

12 comments:

Sam&Donna Weibel said...

Boy am I glad for that writing, I fit the bill in all those categories, White hair wrinkles, fat, or well more to love. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna.

Along the Way with JnK said...

WONDERFUL POST!!!!!!!

We feel the same way, but have always wondered and have witnessed it ourselves. That not just old age does that to people. There are times that younger folks feel the same way. We figured they must be old souls, been this way before again and again.

As for us, it took us until we were well into our late forties to figure this all out and each year we add to our lives, we take further steps into living our lives instead of worrying what others are thinking about us!

Life is grand!

Sue and Doug said...

thanks for the great message!!!..happy valentine's day to you both!!!

Deborah said...

When you are in your 20's, you worry about what people think about you.......
When you are in your 40's, you don't care what people think about you.......
When you are in your 60's, you realize no one has been thinking about you anyway.......

Donna K said...

Great words...have a wonderful Valentine's Day.

Phyllis said...

We find the RV life makes us feel so much better. I think about other retirees I know who sit around day after day.

I like what Deborah said.....

Rick said...

Wonderful post and a great message. I sure agree with the thoughts expressed about getting older - one does become more free if you just don't fret about it.

Have a great day!

Carol K said...

Good post, Kenny. Thank you!

Chuck and Anneke's RV travels said...

Happy Valentines day.

Dennis and Donna said...

AMEN! Next time I want to be driving a Corvette!

pidge said...

Thanks, Kenny and Angela. Hope you two have a great Valentine's day.

Merikay said...

I didn't appreciate being young and thin when I was. Now I understand what the old ones were about. Fat is OK. It keeps you warm

Have a great day, EVERY DAY!!