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Wednesday, March 03, 2010

What An Attitude!


I recieved this from a dear friend today and wow. This is exactly how I feel about life now that I am over 50.

I would never trade my friends, my life or my 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 avante garde on my patio. I am entitled to a treat, to be messy, to be a teensy bit 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 by 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 is lost? 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.

 I like being older. 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!
 
 
 
Love and Hugs,
Susie Q

14 comments:

Lynilu said...

:) Yep.

Meggie said...

Amen!

Laurie - Lolo So Retro said...

I love this - thanks for sharing!

Laurie S.

Mary Isabella and Kiley too! said...

Oh what a wonderful post. This is excatly how I feel. You said it so much better than I could have. I love the part of sitting up late reading and sleeping to noon. We have earned this after all the early hours, getting to work, children off to school only then to set up late with a sick child and do it all over again with a smile on our face. I love every word you wrote...hugs...m..

Unknown said...

You know, I dreaded turning 50 last June, but now I am fine with it and sure can relate to this post, it's just how I feel! I'm alive and life is good! Amen! Hugs!!

Unknown said...

Me again, may I use some of this in my own wonder post?

Salmagundi said...

Oh, so true! But, let me tell you that 50 is not old. Things really get free after 70 because so many of your obligations in life have been met - it's great. If I have been baking, we sometimes have dessert at 4:00 pm before dinner! Have a great weekend, my friend. Sally

Anonymous said...

Love this. I'm 47, I definitely needed to hear this today, as I am feeling a little insecure as 50 creeps up on me. I can't wait to feel that freedom.

~Kimberly

Kathleen Grace said...

What a fantastic post! I love it and, yes, I feel that way too:>)

Imagery by Kimberly said...

Amen!

So so so so true.

What a wonderful post from wonderful YOU. Thank you for sharing.

And Happy Birthday to your sweet girl!!


Love,
Kim

Janet said...

Perfect post Sue, it makes me smile just thinking about it. Think I will run to Target now and get some well deserved ice cream ;)

Wendster said...

And I love being older too!!!

Wendster said...

Amen and amen!!!

loved the broken heart and the youthful laughs etched into laugh lines ... loved all of it.

Now ... where's dessert?

My form = a handful of chocolate chips each time I walk by. LOL

{Bellamere Cottage} said...

Susie Q!

That is just tooooo fabulous. I'm going to save it....My Hubbs just turned 63 yesterday and 60 is coming up pretty darn fast for me.....

Happy birthday to your lovely daughter too..

I came from Sue's great post....isn't she just a doll?

Warm blessings,
Spencer