Monday, August 11, 2008

When Old Age Suddenly Looks Good

When I sat down at the computer this morning I was trying to decide what I wanted to write about for the day – politics, the candidates, health care, the Olympics or politicians and their sex life. Looking at those options just about made me decide that perhaps I wouldn’t write anything at all. Then I had to smile, WOW! All of sudden old age in itself sounded pretty good!

I haven’t always dealt with “aging” particularly well and I think that’s because I always felt that it slipped up on me when I wasn’t looking and therefore was a cheap shot. But over this past six weeks since I began blogging I’ve taken a long hard look at me and aging, the good and the bad and I’ve finally come to the conclusion that in spite of the bad knees, the scary reflection in the mirror in the mornings, the assortment of aches and pains that accompany each day, along with one more birthday, I’m in a very good space. I’m happy, I’m busy, I’m involved, I have great kids and friends, live in a beautiful place! Now, how much more could you want? And, according to Winston Churchill, I obviously don’t have to worry about temptation any longer! Bet our politicians of today would question that! But then they probably don’t ever think of themselves as growing old anyway and probably don’t even recognize it – obviously they have access to that magic mirror on the wall and can easily see who’s the fairest of them all! Ah, we should all be so lucky!

So, I think for today, the beginning of a new week, I’ll just bask in my good fortune to be alive and still kicking butt, being able to laugh about so very many things, to take pleasure in so many things, to be able to see the beauty in the world. And while that doesn’t eliminate the ugly, it does diminish it a bit and enables each of us to have the hope of finding better ways to deal with, to solve the problems of the world today.

Okay, okay – so today I’m Pollyanna, there’s always tomorrow.

7 comments:

patsy said...

old age can be bad but consider the alternative.

Anonymous said...

"We could certainly slow the aging process down if it had to work its way through Congress-- Will Rogers"

That is a great quote.

We all need a day once in awhile to reflect and just enjoy being who we are.

Mari Meehan said...

What a wonderful blog. I'm finding the ones I most enjoy reading are written by my peers - seniors!

Thanks for visiting mine.

Margie's Musings said...

Yes, the alternative is nothing I am ready for yet. I am 72 and in pretty good shape for that age. Come check me out if you'd like.

It's good that you are handling yours well.

Judy said...

I love the quotes in your sidebar. I am thankful for each day and all the wonderful things I have in my life, such as family, health, and just being able to get out of bed in the morning and not have to go to work!

Mortart said...

Sylvia,
What a wonderful attitude you have! And thanks for uncovering my blog post about the Alaska fur seals. I had forgotten that I ever wrote it.

TropiGal said...

Good post, Sylvia. It's great to read an upbeat message.