I turned 49 this year. Next year my parents will see to it that I get my AARP card. It's tradition. I actually don't mind the idea of getting older. There are many people that I know that are older than I am that are doing quite well and I well remember the struggles that got me here. The physical body may find life a little harder, but the inner soul gets more comfortable every year. I struggle with maintaining weight and blood pressure and I swear that my medicine cabinet grows every few months. In spite of all of this, I have grown into my past, I have learned to accept where I came from, and I don't count on tomorrow but I am always peeking around corners and I have to tell you that what I see looks pretty great. I don't understand people who say that they wouldn't change the past if they could. If I could redo my life I don't think that I would recognize my future self because there would be so little that I didn't change. I don't have hoards of money to spare or physical things but my life is full and I'm afraid that I have become more egotistical than I deserve.
When you grow up you learn that you are responsible for your actions. Especially the ones that you regret.
When you grow old you learn that you are lucky to be responsible for your actions. You learn that you can change things and make life better.
When you grow up you learn to stand on your own two feet.
When you grow old you learn that no one only stands on his own two feet and if you can, you should help others.
When you grow up you learn that what other people thought of you isn't as important as you thought.
When you grow old you learn what people think of you is important because you want them to see how good life can be and you know that someone is always watching.
When you grow up you learn that life takes people away from you and it's never fair.
When you grow old you learn that you are lucky to have had every single person that touched your life and you smile at memories and feel love from those long gone.
When you grow up you learn to prioritize according to needs.
When you grow old you learn how little you need and how much more important it is to give where you can.
When you grow up you learn only you can control your emotions.
When you grow old you find that there isn't as much need to control your emotions as it is to share them.
When you grow up you struggle to find your place in the world.
When you grow old you discover that your place is where ever in the world that you are.
