[The Great Fumar]

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, 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 ma ny 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, unless of course I'm driving the car.
But broken hearts are what give us strength and under standing 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)
Fumar the magnificent

[graciegirl]

Fumar. You truly are magnificent.

[nONIE]

Fumar, at times you amaze me!! Fantastic post :bigthumbsup:

[chelsea24]

Fumar is that you? What did you do with Fumar? :dontknow: Thats an absolutely beautiful post. 8)

[redwitch]

Very well said. This is one post I am printing out and putting where I can read it whenever I'm in a mood to beat myself up over some stupidity. Thank you, kind sir.

[Village Kid 2]

I think there is a theme here. Here is the poem that spawned the red hat societies:
(Maybe Fumar is starting a men's group?) VK2


WARNING

When I am an old woman I shall wear purple
With a red hat which doesn't go, and doesn't suit me.
And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves
And satin sandals, and say we've no money for butter.
I shall sit down on the pavement when I'm tired
And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells
And run my stick along the public railings
And make up for the sobriety of my youth.
I shall go out in my slippers in the rain
And pick flowers in other people's gardens
And learn to spit.

You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat
And eat three pounds of sausages at a go
Or only bread and pickle for a week
And hoard pens and pencils and beermats and things in boxes.

But now we must have clothes that keep us dry
And pay our rent and not swear in the street
And set a good example for the children.
We must have friends to dinner and read the papers.

But maybe I ought to practice a little now?
So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised
When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple.

Jenny Joseph

[Barefoot]

Fumar has had a personality adjustment. Next thing he'll post about how much he loves little dogs! ;D

[nONIE]

BF,

You took the words right out of my mouth & Fumars too?????? :dontknow:

[beady]

Fumar, you inspire me. :bigthumbsup:

Thanks for a thoughtful and caring post.

Your words and thoughts are words for us all to live by.

[samhass]

That was wonderful.

[nhsnowbird]

Fumar and Village Kid ... great posts and very true. Old Age is very liberating!

[cabo35]

http://www.guy-sports.com/humor/stor...ry_old_age.htm

http://www.ugoto.com/blog_71276.html

http://www.clarksvilleonline.com/200...-its-attitude/

http://www.drlaura.com/letters/index...ile=1&id=15706

:dontknow: :dontknow: :dontknow: :dontknow:

Are you the author of that profound assessment on aging?

If so its priceless.

[renielarson]

Magnificent Fumar

I agonize no matter how old I am.
I chide myself.
I won't walk the beach in a suit that doesn't hide this bulging body.
I won't let my hair go gray.
I use facial treatments to reduce wrinkles.
I do care what others think.
I won't eat dessert every day.
I will always remember the important things.

Hmmmm...what did I just post? Dang...can't think of it!

Aging Brightspot

[Rokinronda]

Oh Great Magnificent Fumar, :bow: I rec'd this in an email months ago and suspect you are not the author. My email was from RI. Sorry to give you away, but someone asked. ??? Divulging Ronda

[nONIE]

Hmmm! I thought the part about pets was a little much for Fumar! BUSTED!!!