The Question: DO YOU LIKE GETTING OLDER???

I can hit the golf ball any way I can and laugh if it goes in the lake.

That's the breaks. I'm just happy I can still hit that golf ball.

I am forwarding this to those on my Seniors e-mail list because it is so well written. 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 passes? 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).

You need to delete last sentence....my belly is living proof that this is not wise.

beats the alternative....

I like this--

I agree with it, i would also add that while i do my job (same job for 20 years) to the best of my ability and with the same diligence i did when younger, i no longer get stressed about it. If i lost it tomorrow i would survive just fine.

nope

Good read and yes, I am enjoying getting older. Am enjoying watching my kids grow older and raise their own kids now. Life is what you make of it and I am very blessed to say mine is good.

I am looking at buying a new(er) boat. One that has all the bells and whistles. It will be my last one. I don't want to be 82 and wishing 20 years ago I had bought the boat of my dreams and still had the spunk to enjoy it.

It has been an enjoyable journey with stumbles and unexpected turns and very interesting.

I would be much happier without the joint pain though

No... recent shoulder surgery is proof.

As for one getting REAL old:
I enjoy the aging process, however I look around and damnd near all my friends have passed, hard to talk of the old times when everyone else has gone.

I love getting old. I am old. People ask the old if there is anything they regret or would love to be able to do over. I have a standard a truthful answer: NO! I would not change a thing in my life and I have absolutely no regrets.

The truth now Trip7,

Never wanted a star on your collar ?

Absolutely not. I would have been a terrible general officer and understood from the very beginning that high rank was not in my future.

I told the truth. As I was being wheeled into the operating room for my open heart surgery I looked up at "She Wh Most Be Obeyed" and told her in all honesty that "my life had been a great ride and I have no regrets". It was the truth because I had serious misgiving about ever surviving that operation.