"Sweets" Inspiration
Mar. 22nd, 2005 12:33 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
mrdreamjeansThere are all kinds of sweets ... sweet nothings in your ear... sweets - as in cake and candy ... sweets - as in “You’re so sweet to remember”. I am receiving calls, emails, letters, presents, instant messages and more today on my birthday. I thank all of you for remembering my special day. Since, I am far from home, all of you sending birthday wishes my way, brings a bit of home to me.
My day began with a call at 8:15am from my State Farm agent in Sealy, Texas. She croaked out Happy Birthday to me (you have to hear her voice singing it. I’m being accurate:). We’ve been friends for 18 years, but don’t you agree that it’s a bit of a mixed message when your first birthday call is from your insurance agent:) LOL!
My next call was from Tim (gotmoof). Thanks to Tim and his picture post from last night, I have no way of pretending that I’m anything other than exactly the age I am. As I told daltxfurry in a comment, my exterior may be a 1954 model, but my organs are much younger:) All of that semi-clean living....
Mom and Dad called next and sang happy birthday in imperfect harmony. Mom informed me that she was just taking my chocolate birthday cake out of the oven and that Dad and she would really enjoy it for me! (clearing throat) Another mixed message? Also, Mom sent me a batch of peanut clusters in the mail. She forgot that I’ve recently found out that I’m allergic to nuts. Oh well, at least I won’t gain weight back. LOL!
My dear friend Steve from Little Rock just called. Steve and I have shared many a birthday in our 25 years of friendship, including Steve’s 50th birthday in Germany and mine in Seattle last year. I am so enriched by my friends and family taking the time to say, hey I’m thinking of you. YAY!
My celebration began early. Last evening (my only day off from the show) I had dinner at the Red Grill with my ex David and his partner Stan and Jim (sflonestar). It was very relaxing and congenial and a nice opportunity to introduce Jim to two of my closest friends. Tom (BearBrat) is hosting a small informal gathering for me at 5pm at Opi’s Grill across from the theater later today. I know it’s an odd time for everyone with work schedules, but I appreciate the kindness and thoughtfulness of Tom who has organized it and to those who might be able to attend.
Finally, my friend Rick in Cleveland and I have been celebrating together since 1980. His birthday is March 21 and he’s a year and a day older than me. He sent me this anonymous essay on “Old Age”. Now, I don’t believe I’m old (chuckle:), but I do believe in many of the points it makes. It has given me “sweet inspiration”. Enjoy!
“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.
Aging, 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 lines, skin spots and bumps. And often I am taken aback by that older person that 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 flatter belly. As I've aged, I've become more kind to myself, and less critical. I've become my own friend. I don't chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or for not making my bed. I am entitled to overeat, 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.
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 when a beloved pet gets hit by a car? 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 turn 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. I can say "no," and mean it. I can say "yes," and mean it. 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 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.” Ah yes, "sweets" inspiration!
One last thought... I wish Donovan (bigredee) a very special birthday! Though he’s much younger than me, I feel he’s a kindred spirit, sympatico because of our shared birthday. It is obvious to me, a slight acquaintance, that his sense of commitment, his passion, his dedication to community is developed well beyond his years. San Francisco, the Bear and Live Journal communities and especially his partner Fred and circle of friends are lucky to know and love him!
My day began with a call at 8:15am from my State Farm agent in Sealy, Texas. She croaked out Happy Birthday to me (you have to hear her voice singing it. I’m being accurate:). We’ve been friends for 18 years, but don’t you agree that it’s a bit of a mixed message when your first birthday call is from your insurance agent:) LOL!
My next call was from Tim (gotmoof). Thanks to Tim and his picture post from last night, I have no way of pretending that I’m anything other than exactly the age I am. As I told daltxfurry in a comment, my exterior may be a 1954 model, but my organs are much younger:) All of that semi-clean living....
Mom and Dad called next and sang happy birthday in imperfect harmony. Mom informed me that she was just taking my chocolate birthday cake out of the oven and that Dad and she would really enjoy it for me! (clearing throat) Another mixed message? Also, Mom sent me a batch of peanut clusters in the mail. She forgot that I’ve recently found out that I’m allergic to nuts. Oh well, at least I won’t gain weight back. LOL!
My dear friend Steve from Little Rock just called. Steve and I have shared many a birthday in our 25 years of friendship, including Steve’s 50th birthday in Germany and mine in Seattle last year. I am so enriched by my friends and family taking the time to say, hey I’m thinking of you. YAY!
My celebration began early. Last evening (my only day off from the show) I had dinner at the Red Grill with my ex David and his partner Stan and Jim (sflonestar). It was very relaxing and congenial and a nice opportunity to introduce Jim to two of my closest friends. Tom (BearBrat) is hosting a small informal gathering for me at 5pm at Opi’s Grill across from the theater later today. I know it’s an odd time for everyone with work schedules, but I appreciate the kindness and thoughtfulness of Tom who has organized it and to those who might be able to attend.
Finally, my friend Rick in Cleveland and I have been celebrating together since 1980. His birthday is March 21 and he’s a year and a day older than me. He sent me this anonymous essay on “Old Age”. Now, I don’t believe I’m old (chuckle:), but I do believe in many of the points it makes. It has given me “sweet inspiration”. Enjoy!
“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.
Aging, 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 lines, skin spots and bumps. And often I am taken aback by that older person that 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 flatter belly. As I've aged, I've become more kind to myself, and less critical. I've become my own friend. I don't chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or for not making my bed. I am entitled to overeat, 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.
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 when a beloved pet gets hit by a car? 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 turn 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. I can say "no," and mean it. I can say "yes," and mean it. 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 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.” Ah yes, "sweets" inspiration!
One last thought... I wish Donovan (bigredee) a very special birthday! Though he’s much younger than me, I feel he’s a kindred spirit, sympatico because of our shared birthday. It is obvious to me, a slight acquaintance, that his sense of commitment, his passion, his dedication to community is developed well beyond his years. San Francisco, the Bear and Live Journal communities and especially his partner Fred and circle of friends are lucky to know and love him!
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