Friday, March 5, 2010

A Wonderful Life

A wonderful life is mine today, so much different from yesterday
with peace of mind and freedom of spirit this I can truly say
that through the ups and downs I’ve seen, no fate was so disturbing
then to wake each day in fear of survival a life that’s undeserving
of any soul that lives on earth, where many the substance of giving
the gift to lift the bonds of despair with compassion, and an adequate living
in a world that’s not too kind to some, and for others a social obscenity
to ponder a world that’s unselfish in deed and aspires human dignity.

A wonderful life is mine today, so much different from yesterday
with each new day I impart on others, some comfort along their way
to appreciate the simple curiosities, the blessings so often neglected
when the vicissitudes of life can deny peace of mind to be reflected
in the balance of good and evil, and in the emptiness that gravitates
because life does not wait nor does life discriminate.

Take comfort in this I say, wealth is just an elaborate condition
for some to use to make a point, and for some to commission
that freedom of spirit emerges when we look within the soul
and find the good in everything, should be an unwavering goal,
to savor the simple wonders that life so graciously gives
and hope that you can show the same to someone else who lives.

Monday, March 1, 2010

Who are you?

I’m 65 years old, and have worked with the older generation all my young adult life. When I became an older adult, I chaired a program that monitored the well-being of the elderly in my religious community. Normally I would see them weekly, but sometimes, I wouldn’t see anyone for months. If more than a month went by, I was amazed how much they aged since I last saw them. I never thought much about how fleeting one’s age can be until Mother Nature came knocking at my door.

Sitting at the doctor’s office with my 93 year old friend Irene, I would often complained about there not being enough time to do the things I needed to do. Irene would respond, “Wait ‘til you reach my age - time passes faster.” I never truly understood that until now.

Like magic, one night during my dormant hours, my body underwent a metamorphous. I woke up with noticeable jowls. When I got on the scale that evening, I was 5 pounds heavier from a soup and salad diet. A couple of months later as I was combing my hair, I realized I had a developed a double chin, and the scale that night read five more pounds.

When I first looked in the mirror I asked, “Who are you?” Then I asked the person looking back at me, if I had eaten something other than soup and salad, would my face have changed. “Sure it would have,” I said loudly and totally annoyed. Nowadays when I look into the mirror, I acknowledge that person even though I see someone I don’t recognize. It’s a different me, an older me.

Irene told me every seven years you change. I always thought this transformation was mental. For the past 56 years of my life, I had noticed a chance in my attitude, ideals and practices, with only minor modifications to my physical body. I rather took pride in looking younger than my age.

Lately though, I’ve taken notice of movie and media personalities that I grew up with over the years. There it was the double chin and that undeniable roundness that attacks the upper arms and middle section. I even had to redefine my bra size to include the bust line under my armpits that was never there before – I have yet to find a bra that will contain this new figure. Then there are the women in the stores, especially the ones I couldn’t tell how old they were- now I can. Youth has a wonderful profile.

I would like to conclude with two more thoughts. I often wondered why older women’s looked as if they had never wore makeup before, and why all those smaller sized clothes end up in boxes at the back of the closet. I told myself that one day I would wear them again, but the reality of it is I’ll never put them on again. Maybe next year, I’ll give the clothes to charity. As for the makeup, I have to admit I wear it more now than I did when I was younger, and pray I never lose my touch applying it. If I do, I will stop wearing it all together.

I wonder what shape my next body metamorphosis will experience. Will it be my last metamorphosis? Anticipating these changes, I’ve decided to slow down this physical body modification by walking more and snacking less. I must understanding when a young person passes me on the tracks it’s just an act of passing the torch. Also, when the young think I don’t get it, know that wisdom for them is yet to come. For me the most important and meaningful thing I can do for myself is accept, refine, and enjoy what’s given me.