I miss you Sam!!

I miss you Sam!!
I miss you Sam!!

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

A Smile, Some Sadness and Some Thoughts About Life

 Friends!


Some Thoughts on Aging and the Alternative

My children's Father doesn't have much longer to live and it hurts me to see their pain. He has been a wonderful father and has had a remarkable life. And as I look around me here in the senior complex where I live, I see much of the same thing happening with other people and their parents/relatives. I'm very blessed to be as well and as strong as I am and when a friend sent this to me  I realized it was pretty much how I feel and I thought I'd share it with you this evening.
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 60 and 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).
 

Enjoy your evening and may your life be filled with lots of love and laughter.

27 comments:

forgetmenot said...

Sylvia, Thank you, thank you for a wonderful message. Growing old is not for "sissies", but you have helped put many issues in perspective. I know you enjoy every moment of your life now just as you always have. Thanks for making me "feel better" about growing older. Have a lovely Wednesday. Mickie ;)

Unknown said...

Hi Sylvia, thank you for us glad some day, good input.
Greetings .-

Unknown said...

A wonderful message Sylvia. I'm with you live every day like it's the last one . And every day should be filled with love and laughter.

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

great piece of writing. I tell my friends, I am married to the computer. We are hunting for a house, I don't want a big house. Did you watch the Stratford's wives? I am like Bette Midler before they transformed her.

Tina´s PicStory said...

Your wonderful words touched my heart :)

Kcalpesh said...

That's a lovely photo Sylvia!! I admire your strength. Your words are something I'll save in the safest corner of my mind and my heart hoping that I have the same strength when I am at the same phase of life as you are right now... May your evening and coming days be filled with lots of love and laughter too...

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

I'm sorry about your children's father.

Great "anthem" on growing older. I've had a good life and am very blessed. One of the things I've learned is that I've had to find my happiness here and now and life is too short to worry about what other people think.

PAINTORDIG.blogspot.com said...

We should all live like this, young or old. I think we would all be happier if we did.I pray your children find the peace that passes all understanding...

Jo said...

Wonderful post, Sylvia. Thanks for your thoughts. I pray for your children and their father at this time. Blessings Jo

clairz said...

Now that we are so happily retired, it seems as though we are getting bad health news from friends and family members almost every week. I am sorry that your family is going through such pain. I guess it is the next big life lesson we have to learn at this point in life. But it's hard. Your words this morning served as a good reminder, Sylvia.

Janet said...

A truly touching post, Sylvia, and I will pray for your family.

Dianne said...

hugs to your children
and always to you
you make me smile and feel better about the world every time I visit

Gattina said...

I exactly feel like you !! I really enjoy life now to the fullest !

Sridharan said...

Awesome photo and wonderful words..!

TexWisGirl said...

thank you, sylvia. very touching. i am sorry for your children and the pain you feel as well...

Arija said...

I am in total agreement. I no longer allow myself to be bullocked into doing what I don't like. I have my G & T in the evening if and when I feel like it . Finally , in a marriage of 54 years, I no longer drink coffee just because he likes it. We are different people with different likes and dislikes. He likes pasta, I like potatoes, he only likes classical music, I am more catholic in my tastes.
Who cares if you go out for an ice cream and leave a day's dishes in the sink. If you get run over by a bus on the way home, it will not matter a jot and at least you will have enjoyed your treat.

So, live it up, this moment will never happen again.

Sushma Harish said...

Real inspiring thoughts and beautiful picture.

linksdistodaquilo said...

Follow scent and found this space.
To know someone here and there ... ...

A kiss of Nita. Today a good Wednesday!

Teamgsquare said...

Nice post.

Anonymous said...

Beautifully written. Sorry to hear about your ex-husband's condition. Sad.

Jack said...

Well, Sylvia, your message today is both somber and joyful. You have my regrets for the impending departure of your kids' father and my applause for your bravery and joy in confronting aging. I am a decade+ behind you and, even though I have been lucky in life, I still fight against any degradation in my abilities. If accepting is right for you, fighting is right for me. Have a good one.

Gillian Olson said...

A very thoughful and thought provoking post. Thank you,

Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy said...

Hi Sylvia, this is so wonderful ... thank you for posting it for us. I'm sorry about your childrens dad being so ill. That is very sad.

I love getting older. I am happier everyday, it seems. My body still works fine and I love being done with PMS and all that goes along with it, I am finally getting to do everything that I want to do.

I'm glad that you are enjoying yourself and your new surroundings too. God bless, my friend.

Kathy M.

Jackie said...

Love that photo, and that is a very good message. I'm at that stage too and I spend hours on the computer, but I really need to get out more with my camera..!
Sorry to hear about your children's father, my step-daughters just lost their mother this past week.

lotusleaf said...

Wonderful post, Sylvia! For some reason, my eyes became wet when I read it.

Paula Scott Molokai Girl Studio said...

Amen, sister! Rock on...you are growing old with grace and acceptance. Truly an inspiration!
But, my heart grieves too for the father of your children. May he go gently into the loving arms of God.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

That's wonderful Sylvia. Thank you for sharing -- your own words and thoughts at the beginning and the ones your friend shared with you -- they too were new to me and the whole post meant so much.

What Can I Say?

What Can I Say?
I'm interested in almost everything. Use to like to travel, but it's too expensive now. I take Tai Chi classes, swim, volunteer in a Jump-start program for pre-schoolers. I'm an avid reader and like nearly everyone these days I follow politics avidly. I'm a former teacher and Special Projects Coordinator for a Telecommunications company, Assistant to the President of a Japanese silicon wafer manufacturing company. Am now enjoying retirement -- most of the time. I have two daughters, one son-in-law and two sons scattered all over the country. No grandchildren.

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