Aging
Reflections from a birthday
Putting my children to bed on the eve of my birthday was a sweet time as excited little voices chattered about the coming celebrations and young arms embraced me tighter in the joy. Some expressed concern about my getting so old and I assured them that I would still be me in the morning. But it did get me to thinking about the aging process and I made a list of how I will change as I age. I will:
Move slower
Listen more intently
Observe more keenly
Laugh harder
Hug longer
Cook, clean and fold laundry as if they were expressions of art
Savor routines as the life blood they are to my peace of mind
Drink in words and then pour them out
View the clock as a guide rather than a task master
Rejoice rather than regret
Be in sync with the seasons
Study the nuances of life in my loved ones: breathing patterns, fingerprints, footsteps, profiles, daily rituals, voice tones, and their gestures of love
Celebrate getting to live my life as me
Looking at my list I realized that getting older is more like a return to my younger years. After all, small children actually live with intense joy and wonder at a slower pace; the frenzied pace that causes us to miss the goodness of living happens as adults. I am eager to grow young with a bit of life wisdom tucked into my back pocket.


So true, thanks! Hope you had a fantastic birthday!