The other day, a young person asked me: What does it feel like to be old?
I was somewhat surprised by the question, since I do not consider myself that old.
When she saw my reaction, she was a bit embarrassed, but I explained that it was an interesting question.
After some reflection, I concluded that getting old is a gift.
Sometimes, I am surprised at the person who lives in my mirror. But I don’t worry about those things for long. I wouldn’t trade everything I have for a few less gray hairs and a flat stomach.
I don’t scold myself for not making the bed just right, or for nibbling on a few extra “little things” during the day. I am within my rights to be a little messy, to be extravagant or not, and to spend time enjoying nature, friends, walks and Bible study more than I used to.
Since Dodie retired from nursing, her passions include flowers, hummingbirds, butterflies, plants, yoga, crafts, piano lessons and church activities.
We have seen some dear friends leave this world before they enjoyed the freedom that comes with growing old.
Who cares if we choose to read, watch a DVD, write or edit on the computer until 3 in the morning and then sleep until who knows what time?
We still listen or dance to the rhythm and music of the 50’s, 60’s, 70s, 80s and 90s. And if later we want to cry or reminisce for some lost friend, coworker, or relative…we will!
We walk down trails, zoos, gardens, and beaches in swimsuits, shorts or comfortable baggy clothes and dive into the waves letting ourselves go, despite the pitying looks of the bikini-wearers, joggers, or cliff climbers.
They’ll get old, too, if they’re lucky…
It is true that through the years my heart has ached for the loss of a loved one, for the pain of a child, or for seeing a pet die. But it is suffering that gives us strength and makes us grow. An unbroken heart is sterile and will never know the happiness of being imperfect.
I am proud to have lived long enough for my hair and beard to turn silver and white. We both still have the smiles and eye sparkles retained from our youth.
To answer the question honestly, I actually like being old, and living in the “now.” Old age makes us wiser and allows us more freedom.
We know we’re not going to live forever, but while we are here, we are going to live by our own laws, those of our hearts, and from God’s word through the Bible.
Seldom do we regret what wasn’t, nor worry about what will be.
For the time that remains, we will simply love life as we do today. The rest we leave to God.
☆☆☆☆☆
IN GOD WE TRUST
Please and Thank You 😊
Thanks for supporting independent true journalism with a small tip. Dodie & Jack
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CINDY LEAL MASSEY, TEXAS AUTHOR
Clever Journeys 
Getting “old” is definitely a blessing! Merry Christmas and God bless !
Ronnie
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Well put, Jack. I agree with all you say. The best thing about getting to be 74 is I can say, ” get off my lawn!” and other things like that.
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It takes brawn at dawn to yell be gone to a fawn on the Strawn lawn. Am I wrong?
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Right on, Jack. You are quite the poet.
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I’ve had younger people treat me like I’m old, too, which bemuses me because I know it’s from the finally graying hair. And the eye crinkles! Nonetheless, it is true that I do what they would consider hard, slogging labor, not as well as I used to do it, nor as much of it. Which is, as you say kind of nice. A tall, dignified ex-schoolteacher in the County Home, at 101 years old, once fixed me with her wide blue eyes, and said, “I’ve had to hurry for a hundred years, and I’m not going to do it anymore.’
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Much wisdom is earned in 101 years. Your responses always brighten us. Thank you 😊
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