tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9698729.post6597282773636960642..comments2024-03-04T15:24:02.451-06:00Comments on Northern Gleaner: Ventures in the R&R Hall of FameGenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16540894657933632541noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9698729.post-42493507770093735212008-03-12T13:52:00.000-06:002008-03-12T13:52:00.000-06:00"There are so few who can grow old with a good gra..."There are so few who can grow old with a good grace..." (Steele,The Spectator) When cratchety old guys get older and cratchetier, we thank God that His grace covers all....grace ever new, ever amazing, ever free, ever forgiving, ever eternal. H.A.H.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9698729.post-33056689093117869722008-03-11T10:40:00.000-06:002008-03-11T10:40:00.000-06:00Old Age, I decided, is a gift.I am now, probably f...Old Age, I decided, is a gift.<BR/><BR/>I am now, probably for the first time in my life, almost the <BR/>person I have always wanted to be. Oh, not my body! I sometime <BR/>despair over my body, the wrinkles, the baggy eyes, and the sagging <BR/>butt. And often I am taken aback by that old person that lives in my <BR/>mirror, but I don't agonize over those things for long.<BR/><BR/>I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful <BR/>life, my loving family for less gray hair or a flatter belly. As I've <BR/>aged, I've become more kind to myself, and less critical of myself. <BR/>I've become my own friend.<BR/><BR/>I don't chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or <BR/>for not making my bed, or for buying that silly cement gecko that I <BR/>didn't need, but looks so avante garde on my patio. I am entitled <BR/>to a treat, to be messy, to be extravagant.<BR/><BR/>I have seen too many dear friends leave this world <BR/>too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes with <BR/>aging.<BR/><BR/>Whose business is it if I choose to read or play on <BR/>the computer until 4 AM and sleep until noon? I will dance with <BR/>myself to those wonderful tunes of the 60&70's, and if I, at the <BR/>same time, wish to weep over a lost love .. I will.<BR/><BR/>I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched <BR/>over a bulging body, and will dive into the waves with abandon if I <BR/>choose to, despite the pitying glances from the jet set <BR/>They, too, will get old.<BR/><BR/>I know I am sometimes forgetful. But there again, some <BR/>of life is just as well forgotten . And I eventually remember the <BR/>important things.<BR/><BR/>Sure, over the years my heart has been broken. How <BR/>can your heart not break when you lose a loved one, or when a child <BR/>suffers, or even when somebody's beloved pet gets hit by a car? But <BR/>broken hearts are what give us strength and understanding and <BR/>compassion. A heart never broken is pristine and sterile and will <BR/>never know the joy of being imperfect.<BR/><BR/>I am so blessed to have lived long enough to ha ve my <BR/>hair turning gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched <BR/>into deep grooves on my face. So many have never laughed, and so <BR/>many have died before&n bsp; their hair could turn silver.<BR/><BR/>As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You <BR/>care less about what other people think. I don't question <BR/>myself anymore. <BR/><BR/>One area I am still growing in is God's Word. I am amazed how<BR/>much more I learn everyday. With all the changes during my life, God has been the <BR/>one consistent, never changing, all loving entity that made this ole life feel so special.<BR/>I have learned to love as He has loved me....with no end.<BR/><BR/>So, to answer your question, I like being old. It has <BR/>set me free. I like the person I have become. I am not going to <BR/>live here forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time <BR/>lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be.<BR/>I will however, delight in praising the Lord everyday with the talents He<BR/>gave me to do so, regardless of what I look like. My Father sees my heart, the best <BR/>part of me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9698729.post-68401286186727695162008-03-11T10:08:00.000-06:002008-03-11T10:08:00.000-06:00Don't feel too bad. At least your name isn't Alice...Don't feel too bad. At least your name isn't Alice Cooper, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, or Boy George.<BR/><BR/>Feel blessed Boy Gene. Many a person would give anything to play guitar for Jesus.<BR/><BR/>Besides, have you wondered why Jesus looks at your heart, and not your face? Look in the mirror and there's the answer.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com