Happy Being Me

I am now, probably for the first time in my life, the person I have always wanted to be. Oh, not my body! I sometime despair over my body, the wrinkles, the baggy eyes, and the sagging butt. And often I am taken aback by that older person that lives in the mirror, 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 until 4 AM and sleep until noon? I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 60, 70 & 80's, and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love or sad movie ..... I will do just that!

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 hurt? 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, I am okay with getting 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!

Saturdays Sunshine

Hidy ho there good neighbors! It's a beautiful day here in Las Vegas (70 ish) and the sun is just as bright as could be. I was really hoping to bury my head and sleep in this morning, but because the sunshine became my alarm clock not leaving me a choice to hit the snooze button, my day as I knew it was about to begin.

There's nothing like a fresh cup of pick-me-up out on the patio, listening to the birds discuss their plans for the day and deciding what your going to do with yours.

Yesterday my hubby and I went window shopping (that's what I call it when my husband says, "We're just gonna look) and brought home some beautiful flowers for the window planter. Now mind you, I'm not a gardener, nor do I claim to know a lot about flowers. I just pick out the ones that have a lot of color, grow no matter what and all with the hopes that the bee's don't like our choices.

I've got the sun tea brewing, comfy blue jeans covering my rear, gloves covering freshly painted nails and the willingness to tackle yet another new day in the adventures of my life approaching 50.

Hoping your "Today" is filled with sunshine and laughter, lots of color and happiness. Take care of you and yours always,