(Actually, my 100+ year old Great Uncle's Story)

[Too Gray Now]

I got such a kick out of this, I decided it should get posted.

First of all, he is a real person who is still alive in his 101st year.

Second of all, he lives in Canada and the winters are tough.

Thirdly, he does not live in a nursing home - he still keeps his own place - still mows his OWN grass!! for pete's sake!

So here is a condensed story about what it will feel like to get old....

I love this -

I hope you do, too.

[Too Gray Now]

Mr. I.L. Lawrence

June 11, 1905

Celebrating 100 Wonderful Years!

quote:

The other day a young person asked me how I felt about being (so) 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 how I felt.

Old age, I decided, is a gift. I’m now, probably for the first time in my life, the person I have always wanted to be. I sometimes despair over my body… the wrinkles, the baggy eyes, and the graying hair… And often I am surprised by the old person who lives in my 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 better hearing. 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 another Pepsi that I didn’t need – I’m entitled to overeat, to be messy, to be extravagant. I’ve see too many dear friends leave this world too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging.

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. But broken hearts are what give us strength and understanding and compassion.

I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turn gray, and to have my youthful laughs 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 one gets older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what other people think. I’ve earned the right to be wrong.

So, to answer your question, I like being 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.

[Shellon]

HA! :)-->

[GeorgeStGeorge]

Gray-ING hair, at 101? :D-->

George

[Belle]

Love it!

[outandabout]

Great!

[excathedra]

thank you how beautiful. i hope i can be like him

****

ps. you don't look too gray now in your little pic

[dmiller]

quote:

I know I am sometimes forgetful. But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten and I eventually remember the important things.

Too Gray - What a great response he gave!

Pretty much every sentence he wrote was a classic one-liner, that is only afforded to a person because of their wisdom of years of experience.

Thank you for posting his wisdom/story for us to see here. :)-->

David

[coolchef1248 @adelphia.net]

hats off to old folks...i hope to be one someday!

[Too Gray Now]

I sort of wanted to put a picture of him put up as well, but he was wearing a baseball cap (from when he was mowing the lawn) and the sun was bright so you could not see his face, and it was just from the waist-up.

I told my Mom that she should have taken the picture of him WHILE mowing the lawn (getting the mower in the shot, too)... and not worry about getting his face! :)-->

I mean, it is not even self-propelled!! &*^%$

Thanks for taking the time to read it.