To my friends as we get older... xox

Old Age, I decided, is a gift.
I am now, probably for the first time in my life, the person I have always wanted to be. Oh, not my body! I sometime despair over my body, the wrinkles, the baggy eyes, and the sagging butt. And often I am taken aback by the old person that lives in my mirror, but I don't agonize over those things for long.
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 more kind 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, I think!
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 t he 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)

MAY OUR FRIENDSHIP NEVER COME APART ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S STRAIGHT FROM THE HEART!
MAY YOU ALWAYS HAVE A RAINBOW OF SMILES ON YOUR FACE AND IN YOUR HEART FOREVER AND EVER!

Awards

Thank you Sue for giving me the award! I enjoyed visiting other blogs and leaving the information for others to have the award as well. I gave the award to the following blog friends:

Little Sisters Dolls
Pond Creek Primitives
Simple Country Blessings
Dogpatch Primitives
Holly Tree Primitives
Gollywobbles
Momma Squirrel
Northwind Star Primitives

I hope that you enjoy your prim award. I have added your blog link to my blog if you weren't there already. Take care and enjoy! xox

Summer is Almost Over!

We had a wonderful camping trip at Ocean City. The weather was perfect, with the exception of a couple of sprinkles during the night... sunny and clear... I got a little burned the first day, even with sunblock, so I wore shorts and a tshirt the next few days and stayed under our beach umbrella watching the fun. I could sit and listen to the ocean and watch the waves forever... It is one of the most relaxing things to do. We ate one evening at a restaurant called Phillips. LET ME TELL YOU, that place was AWFUL! The reviews we read about it on the net were great. Much of what we ate, buffet, was frozen foods and it was overcooked... very disappointed, as McDonald's would have been better for 1/5th of the price. Glad we were camping so we could fix our own food the rest of the time. So, if someone is looking for a great spot in need of a delicious restaurant, maybe you should look into Ocean City...

Soft In The Head Giveaway ~*~

http://softinthehead.blogspot.com/ Visit Soft in the Head's blogspot and post a comment on her blog and you will be automatically placed in her drawing. Click on the link and read to see how to receive multiple chances! :)