If you weren’t able to catch up with The Boss at his recent bash, I thought perhaps you may like to have a read of his “partly stolen” words.
“Older Age I have decided is a gift. And now, probably for the first time in my life, I am the person I have always wanted to be.
Oh, not my body! I often despair over my body, the wrinkles, the baggy eyes, the belly and the sagging butt. And often I am taken aback by that old person that lives in my mirror (who looks like my mother mostly & only occasionally my father), but I don’t agonize over those things for long. I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful & blessed life, my loving family for less grey 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 binge-watching TV series, eating that extra cake or biscuit, or for not making my bed. Neither for buying another music CD I didn’t need, but because the album sounds so fabulous. For spending money on concert tickets and Bob Dylan tours, for yet another bottle of Irish whiskey, another case of red wine. For spoiling my beautiful, handsome Dylan Dog.
I am entitled to a treat, so is he, 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 ageing.
Whose business is it if I choose to play music loud, to read or play on the computer until 4 AM and sleep until noon? I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of my life with Chris, and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over my lost love so be it…
I will never walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body but I will collapse into the waves with abandon if I choose to, just like we did many years ago, 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 grey, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into the grooves on my face. So many have never laughed, and so many have died, before their hair could turn silver. Before their pride in their grand-children moves from wonderment of the child to respect for the young adult.
As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what other people think. I don’t ever question myself anymore. I’ve even earned the right to be wrong. So, to answer the question, I like being older. It has set me free. I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, in fact I need to be gone before too long as I didn’t like the last two years of everybody I’ve known, 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 (or cakes) every single day. And drink good wine. Lots of it! And Irish whiskey. (If I feel like it)
MAY OUR FRIENDSHIP NEVER COME APART ESPECIALLY WHEN IT’S STRAIGHT FROM THE HEART!
MAY YOU ALWAYS HAVE A RAINBOW OF SMILES ON YOUR FACE AND IN YOUR HEART FOREVER AND EVER!
FRIENDS FOREVER! ”
THE TRAIN
At birth we boarded the train and met our parents, and we believe they will always travel by our side. As time goes by, other people will board the train; and they will be significant i.e. our siblings, friends, children, and even the love of your life.
However, at some station our parents will step down from the train, leaving us on this journey alone.
Others will step down over time and leave a permanent vacuum. Some, however, will go so unnoticed that we don’t realize they vacated their seats.
This train ride will be full of joy, sorrow, fantasy, expectations, hellos, goodbyes, and farewells. Success consists of having a good relationship with all passengers requiring that we give the best of ourselves.
The mystery to everyone is: We do not know at which station we ourselves will step down. So, we must live in the best way, love, forgive, and offer the best of who we are. It is important to do this because when the time comes for us to step down and leave our seat empty we should leave behind beautiful memories for those who will continue to travel on the train of life.
I wish you all a joyful journey.
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