[barb1191]

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 kinder 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 avant 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.*
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*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.*
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*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. *
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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!*
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[Shirleevee]

Barb,

This is great, thank you!

[kb8tpw]

Thanks Barb that was better than great. Something I needed. I am webmaster for my 50th HS reunion this coming June, may I share? Immediately following the reunion we are making the final move to TV and I plan to mount what you have written on the wall. Thanks. Ray

[barb1191]

Originally Posted by kb8tpw

Thanks Barb that was better than great. Something I needed. I am webmaster for my 50th HS reunion this coming June, may I share? Immediately following the reunion we are making the final move to TV and I plan to mount what you have written on the wall. Thanks. Ray

So pleased you enjoyed it; by all means share it with your classmates and friends, that's what I did. I too am webmaster of my HS class of '49 website and we just had our 60th reunion. Have had reunions every five years for all these years; a real close class of about 174 grads and very close.

Have a wonderful 50th reunion and take lots of pictures; the pictures are priceless. I gather that you'll have these pics on your website, yes?

For our 50th reunion, we asked all of the classmates to send us a brief summary of their past fifty years. We had a great response and I scanned the graduation pictures in our yearbook and put together a booklet of all the scanned pics and next to their HS pic, I placed their 50-yr update. Made a huge hit.

barb1191