I received the following email from a close friend today and since opie and i will be offline and artfest bound before we know it, i thought i'd post it with this picture until we return from seattle. the picture is me and my girlfriends at Most Holy Trinity, the catholic school we all went to, back in the 50's. some of us still keep in touch and sometimes it feels as if we're right back in Trinity... still young at heart. i turned us all into rubber stamps along with most of my family and opie's, and years ago created an artpiece titled "Bad Girls Training School"..... can you guess which one is me?
anyway, here's the email i received today and i do not believe i could have answered it any better:
The other day a young person asked me how I felt about being old. I was taken aback, for I do not think of myself as old. Upon seeing my reaction, she was immediately embarrassed, but I explained that it was an interesting question, and I would ponder it, and let her know.
Old Age, I decided, is a gift. 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 person that lives in my mirror (who looks like my mother!), 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 (in my case saxophone playing frog) that I didn't need, but looks so avant 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's, and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love ... I will.
I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body, and will dive into the waves with abandon if I choose to (well maybe not...LOL!), despite the pitying glances from the jet set. They, too, will get old.
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 passes on? 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, to answer your question, I like growing 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)
this is a gorgeous post and therefore I'm glad for the "child" who questioned you about your age. Age... it is a funny thing. For months I couldn't remember my pin number, then when the pin was resent to me I laughed because it was my age. One year, I spent 365 days thinking I was a year younger than I was. Oh? one can do that? Yes, I did it. My hair is already beginning to turn, thanks mom! :) I mean it, thanks mom. :)
Whenever I need a good dose of reality, I know I can always visit here and YOU will help me to get those smile wrinkles and forehead creases... you are gifted beyond your years. Or is that wise beyond your years? Anywho, dig that you bought a piece that had no real purpose but to make you happy! I'm so there with you. Happy Easter to you & opie! Happy artfest, wish I was there... I do hope you p-graph it all for us. -wink wink- ~Monica
Posted by: monica magness | March 21, 2008 at 05:17 PM
Love the picture Linda, and the post! It's me, "mini-me." Ok...which one of the girls IS you??? Sorry I haven't emailed...been really sick for the last week. You and Opie have a wonderful Easter and keep in touch!
Posted by: Jill Shulse | March 21, 2008 at 07:17 PM
Im thinkin' that's you with the bookbag...and the mischievous look! heh ehe... I love your disertation(sp) on AGING....! I say AMen!
Posted by: Pam Aries | March 21, 2008 at 07:33 PM
What a gorgeous photo and great stamp.I love the letter. My hair started turning grey at 13- and it used to be black!
I thnk you must be the little girl with the bag.
Posted by: Sam Marshall | March 22, 2008 at 08:02 AM
It's funny isn't it all the important famous people are not real young, the ones that matter anyway. Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones, Liam Neeson, Judy Dench, Helen Miram, the list is endless.
Have a great time at Artfest.
Posted by: robruhn | March 24, 2008 at 05:20 AM
WHAT a great post , I am so glad I've found your blog! Really well spoken and thank you so much for sharing it online. I very much enjoy your book , but never knew you had a blog until today - I'll be back to read more. Take good care of yourself - your words are a real gift , I loved them and they'll keep me smiling the rest of the day.
Posted by: Kim Veldt | March 25, 2008 at 02:26 PM
Or , I could come back now lol. I just noticed the name of your blog. That name is one that had stuck in my mind from somewhere (apparently your book , as it turns out)and I've always liked it. Wanted it for mine own , but knew it belonged to someone somewhere.
I should have Googled it , sigh. . .
Posted by: Kim Veldt | March 25, 2008 at 02:30 PM
OK Linda....I give up....are you the striking little gal on the right side sporting the spiffy book bag 'briefcase'? Either her or the front girl. Now tell me which one you are!
Love, Mini-Me
Posted by: Jill Shulse | March 25, 2008 at 11:58 PM
Great photo. I went to Catholic school too. Do you have a first communion photo?
I love your attitude. I agree, old is a gift. I feel blessed to still be here on this earth. It sure beats the alternative.
Posted by: Kathy McElroy | March 27, 2008 at 09:32 AM
Linda,
Thank you for reminding me that old is in our minds--if we feel old-we ARE--if we don't-we areN'T! Right? I still wear my necklace that we made in class in Hampton and every time I put it on I am reminded of this cool couple that taught a class that I really loved! Thank You!
Have fun at artfest!
brenda bliss
Posted by: brenda bliss | March 30, 2008 at 06:41 PM
On aging, Yes I agree. Thanks for posting this to remind us how lucky we are at this point in life. Daris
Posted by: Daris Judd | March 31, 2008 at 10:16 AM
What a wonderful post with a beautiful description of aging. Makes me feel good about being a week away from 60 years young!!!
Posted by: Diane Silveria | April 13, 2008 at 01:03 PM
I LOVE what you said. YES! Getting older is freeing in oh so many ways. We have learned to let go, we don't care what others may say about us, and we have earned our wrinkles. I think each year just gets better - watch out world....I am passing 55 and going for the gold ring!!
Hope you had a blast at Artfest as I am sure you did! I look forward to reading all about it soon.
Lisa
Posted by: Lisa Cook | April 13, 2008 at 01:59 PM
This was wonderful to read. Makes me feel so much better about my recent 48th birthday! Thanks!
Posted by: stacey dean | April 14, 2008 at 02:57 AM
This was wonderful to read. Makes me feel so much better about my recent 48th birthday! Thanks!
Posted by: stacey dean | April 14, 2008 at 02:57 AM
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, Linda for the beautifully touching & uplifting comment on aging. It brought tears to my eyes and a wonderful sense of relief that I am not the only aging woman (nearly 60) who feels like I have become the person I have always dreamed I would be. You are right. It is the heartbreaks in life that give us character & make us strong. How fortunate I am to have read this today! See you in Virginia!
Posted by: Jean Van Brederode | April 15, 2008 at 05:13 PM
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, Linda for the beautifully touching & uplifting comment on aging. It brought tears to my eyes and a wonderful sense of relief that I am not the only aging woman (nearly 60) who feels like I have become the person I have always dreamed I would be. You are right. It is the heartbreaks in life that give us character & make us strong. How fortunate I am to have read this today! See you in Virginia!
Posted by: Jean Van Brederode | April 15, 2008 at 06:56 PM
Loved your thoughts on aging. My sentiments exactly. I played golf with an 85 year old woman today who was the most beautiful woman I have ever met. And I'm not talking about how she looked. It was nice seeing you at Artfest.
Pam K.
Posted by: Pam | April 16, 2008 at 10:16 PM
Linda, I loved reading your beautiful thoughts on aging. My 56th birthday is this month, and I feel the same way you do -- life just gets better and better! So glad to discover your blog. I hope I'll get to take another class with you and Opie one day. Love all of your new art -- and can't wait for the new book!
Bonnie
Posted by: Bonnie Boyle | May 02, 2008 at 10:59 AM
Linda, I love this! Thanks so much for sharing it! It makes this 50 year old feel fine! And remember, eat dessert first! We're old & don't want to miss out on eating it, just in case!
RJ
Posted by: RJ | May 17, 2008 at 09:04 PM