I am now, probably for the first time in my life, the person I

have always wanted to be. Oh, not my body! I sometimes 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 (who looks like my mother or dad!) , 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 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 (i.e. Facebook) 

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? 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!

MAY YOU ALWAYS HAVE A RAINBOW OF SMILES ON YOUR FACE AND IN YOUR

HEART FOREVER AND EVER!

MAY HILLCREST HIGH SCHOOL LIVE FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS!