Every thought you produce, anything you say, any action you do, it bears your signature. — Thich Nhat Han
The beautiful saguaro cactus needs age to become beautiful and grow its arms. It’s barely a couple of inches tall at the age of 10 and can be 40 years old before it spouts an arm. — Photo by Pat Bean
In Fact, I Like Most of It
While I fight against it, and am still active, there’s no denying that age has taken its toll on me. I can no longer hike 20 miles in a day, once again captain my white-water raft as I did from the age of 40 to the age of 60, or carry a great-grandchild on my hip for hours as I did my own children.
Sunsets can be as spectacular as sunrises — from a different perspective. — Photo by Pat Bean
And then there are the little aches and pains as the body loses the glow of youth. The saying that “age isn’t for sissies” is so true it makes me laugh.
But age also has its rewards, ones that let me know I wouldn’t want to be young again. Young for me was full of insecurities, fears that someone wouldn’t like me, inner pressures to be perfect, doubts that I was good enough, and guilt for all the mistakes I made as a parent.
Being an old broad – and don’t call me elderly, I hate that term – having raised five children and being retired from a stressful 10-hour day job putting out a daily newspaper – has given me time to occasionally just sit on my balcony and reflect. Age, and a lifetime of doing, have let me truly come to know who I am.
And thankfully I like that person. I couldn’t say that when I was young.
The Wondering-Wanderer’s blog pick of the day.
Bean’s Pat: Soul Writings http://tinyurl.com/pmjfco7 To give credit where credit is due, this was the blog and quote that inspired my words today. The blogger posts often, but the writing is always short and uplifting, and the photos that accompany it beautiful and thought-provoking.
Pat Bean's blog 
Loved this post Pat – it really struck a chord in me today…signed, another old broad.
Thanks Mimi. I really like the term old broad. It says something about survival and strength that the word elerly does not.
Absolutely! It’s feisty and alive!
I understand, Pat. I am also happy to be aging, at what feels like a comfortable pace. Occasionally I look back on my youth, my young adulthood and think “I don’t especially like the person I was.”
I find it interesting that I’m not the only person who didn’t like herself when they were younger. For me, I think it was because I was not being true to who I was. And I like this age because of the friends I’ve collected over the years, of which I consider you one. .
In spite of all the losses that have gone with getting older, I’m still more or less happy to be where I am now. Besides, I’m not ready for the alternative yet! LOL But if I could go back to an earlier age, I can’t think of a single age I’d rather be. It’s taken a lot to get here and I’d not want to go through it all again. I’ve worked hard and paid some big prices to get here so why would I want to give it up? Nope, aging is not for sissies and for those of us that have done it, it’s a hardwon prize.
Glad you feel this way Sam
I enjoy your perspective on life, Pat. Like you, I wouldn’t go back if I could. Life has gotten better with each passing decade. It’s taken a lot of work to get to the point where I can say that I like who I am, the way I am, with all my gifts, graces, and glitches.
Yeah! Our wrinkles are hard-earned.
I like that you are embracing the time that you are currently experiencing. Reminds me a little of my gran who lived each day to the full until her death at 89.
Thanks Colline. I’m glad too.