I ALMOST feel this way already! An ode to all you 'oldies'

jauntie
By jauntie

 .

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 that old person that lives in my mirror (who looks like my mother!), 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.  

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,  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)

By QT• 1 Apr 2008 18:27
Rating: 3/5
QT

btw, SwissG is upset, and I don't know why!  I wish I could help, although I know it's very unlikely!

By jauntie• 1 Apr 2008 18:18
Rating: 2/5
jauntie

I also would like to have known at 18 what I know now, but to be honest I think I would have scared the living daylights out of 18 year old boys if that had been the case LMAO

And anyway, half the fun of growing older is the growing older process itself!

We all need a rite of passage.

 

SwissG?  Be happy!

By swissgirl39• 31 Mar 2008 22:36
swissgirl39

and i dont even want to think about it.

congrats jauntie for your point of view.

me i cant share it.

i hate to get older and older.

i hate it very much.

sorry.

By anonymous• 31 Mar 2008 22:33
Rating: 5/5
anonymous

 I recommend you to watch the movie "Love in times of cholera", or read the book. Watch it with your husband.

 

 If that don't work you could visit "My virtual Confession Booth" to discuss womans second stage of menopause syndrones at senior moments. 

 

 

"Every once in a while, declare peace -- it confuses the hell out of your enemies." - Quark quotes a Rule of Acquisition, "The Homecoming"

By JBH• 31 Mar 2008 22:29
Rating: 4/5
JBH

We are all getting there, but if we manage to look as good as you do we will be blessed.

 

Very nice sentiments, you daft bugger.

 

I've got to go now, ther is a cockroach the size of a tortoise running around my feet.

 

[runs away screaming like a girl]

 

Call me Maninibat!

By QT• 31 Mar 2008 21:21
Rating: 5/5
QT

I have to confess, I wish I was 18, but with the wisdom of all you "ölder" women!!     

By Mom_me• 31 Mar 2008 21:19
Rating: 4/5
Mom_me

I hope, I age gracefully. To me, the only frustating thing about aging is loosing one's energy level and stamina.

By nadt• 31 Mar 2008 18:55
Rating: 5/5
nadt

love this jauntie, im in my mid thirties (and this to some youngies is over the hill)and although im not quite silver yet, i agree with the above sentiments..Life is too short and each day is a blessing for us to enjoy and make the most of...

By jauntie• 31 Mar 2008 18:54
Rating: 3/5
jauntie

actually the other day I put my MP3 on 'pause' whilst I went for a swim.  When I got back to it and took it off 'pause' it wasn't working.

No sound.

I got really cross with it and pressed all the on/off buttons, pause on/pause off buttons, until I finally realised I didn't have the ear plugs in.

 

go figure ...

By lovinni• 31 Mar 2008 18:50
Rating: 5/5
lovinni

hey jauntie so touching! i hope i would feel the same way when i reach that stage of my life...

I think I've discovered the secret of life - you just hang around until you get used to it.  ~Charles Schulz

By jauntie• 31 Mar 2008 18:50
jauntie

I wish I'd been more stupid when I was young!

By Tigasin321• 31 Mar 2008 18:47
Rating: 4/5
Tigasin321

That is really funny. 

 

Fairy tales don't tell children dragons exist. Children know dragons exist. Fairy tales tell children dragons can be killed. G.K Chesterton

By jauntie• 31 Mar 2008 18:47
Rating: 4/5
jauntie

I posted this as a little anecdote to explain how experience, more often than not, educates us to be more tolerant and less angry with our lot in life. 

As Vegas says: You can't teach experience

 

 

By QT• 31 Mar 2008 18:46
Rating: 5/5
QT

You're so wise, you make me feel young and stupid!

Thank you.   LOL 

By anonymous• 31 Mar 2008 18:41
anonymous

You really sound so contented with life. Lucky you, these days even young people are so stressed with life.

By anonymous• 31 Mar 2008 18:35
Rating: 2/5
anonymous

hey januntie,,seems u feeling age, aren't u?

By jauntie• 31 Mar 2008 18:28
jauntie

a friend sent this to me and I sent it to another friend who thought I'd WRITTEN IT!

How mad is THAT? lol

But I liked the sentiment in the prose.  I think I've always been that way and have no intention of changing!

When will me meet again? ;D

I may even buy a new BBQ just so I can invite you ! :D

By RS• 31 Mar 2008 18:26
Rating: 5/5
RS

Dont worry as we r with you closely following your footsteps to the glorious old age.

 

By t_coffee_or_me• 31 Mar 2008 18:22
Rating: 5/5
t_coffee_or_me

 

hmmmm jauntie

 

its still early

ohhhhh n by the way age is just a number who cares

[img_assist|nid=50852|title=hmm|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=|height=0]

Log in or register to post comments

More from Qatar Living

Qatar’s top beaches for water sports thrills

Qatar’s top beaches for water sports thrills

Let's dive into the best beaches in Qatar, where you can have a blast with water activities, sports and all around fun times.
Most Useful Apps In Qatar - Part Two

Most Useful Apps In Qatar - Part Two

This guide brings you the top apps that will simplify the use of government services in Qatar.
Most Useful Apps In Qatar - Part One

Most Useful Apps In Qatar - Part One

this guide presents the top must-have Qatar-based apps to help you navigate, dine, explore, access government services, and more in the country.
Winter is coming – Qatar’s seasonal adventures await!

Winter is coming – Qatar’s seasonal adventures await!

Qatar's winter months are brimming with unmissable experiences, from the AFC Asian Cup 2023 to the World Aquatics Championships Doha 2024 and a variety of outdoor adventures and cultural delights.
7 Days of Fun: One-Week Activity Plan for Kids

7 Days of Fun: One-Week Activity Plan for Kids

Stuck with a week-long holiday and bored kids? We've got a one week activity plan for fun, learning, and lasting memories.
Wallet-friendly Mango Sticky Rice restaurants that are delightful on a budget

Wallet-friendly Mango Sticky Rice restaurants that are delightful on a budget

Fasten your seatbelts and get ready for a sweet escape into the world of budget-friendly Mango Sticky Rice that's sure to satisfy both your cravings and your budget!
Places to enjoy Mango Sticky Rice in  high-end elegance

Places to enjoy Mango Sticky Rice in high-end elegance

Delve into a world of culinary luxury as we explore the upmarket hotels and fine dining restaurants serving exquisite Mango Sticky Rice.
Where to celebrate World Vegan Day in Qatar

Where to celebrate World Vegan Day in Qatar

Celebrate World Vegan Day with our list of vegan food outlets offering an array of delectable options, spanning from colorful salads to savory shawarma and indulgent desserts.