As I've aged, I've become  kinder to myself, and less critical of myself.  I've become my  own friend.
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 , or 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, 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!