Northwest Dive Club

I can hit the golf ball any way I can and laugh if it goes in the lake. Them's the breaks. I'm just happy I can still hit that golf ball.

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).

So much truth there. When I think of the amount of time and energy I have wasted in my life, worrying about what other people thought . . .

Thanks for sharing that. There is a lot to learn there.

OUTSTANDING!

As the saying goes, growing old is inevitable. Growing up is optional. I opted out a long, long time ago.

Thanks for sharing this. It made my day!

Right On!

Considering what could be I am blessed at what is. I suspect you would join in that sentiment.

Dusty: I just read this. (I have been out of contact.) It reminded me of reading a bookmark which I found liberating. It had "The Reader's Bill of Rights." It included such things as: "You don't have to finish a book just because you started it. It is o.k. to skim pasy the boring parts." But what hit me the most was, "You don't have to defend your taste in reading." I thought, "wow." Our lives are full of people who presume to tell us what we sould like in literature, art, music, movies, fashion, wine,... I realized that these people have elevated their personal preferences ino a virtue. I can politely and respectfully disregard them. Shortly afterward my nephew looked at my necktie and said, "Good news, Curt. Paisely is back in style." I asked, "Who decided?" It is o.k. if he seeks his guidance from GQ and the Wine Spectator. That is not my world. I don't think God cares and it certainly doesn't help or hurt anyone else.
It is good to be alive, Curt

Amen to that Curt, and for you!

A wise old man. I like them better than a young man who thinks he is wise. My kids don't understand all that I do and accept in life. Thanks for sharing.