I’m Old?

I’m writing this down because I’m old
I know the rules
I mustn’t think that I could remember these words
Because
I’m past it
Over the hill
On the long slippery slope

To happiness
Finally

You though I was going to say something else
Admit to being a has-been
Admit that the world has passed me by
Well hellooo
I’m still here
I’m a has-been that’s still being

I own my past
I recognise its length and it’s lessons
But I own my present and future too
There is space for me on this planet
And I’m claiming it

I’m told that the youth know best
Oh boy!
That comes back to bite every single one of us
Eventually
When you get to the age where knowing is irrelevant
Because you realise you never had the full picture

You can laugh at age
But ask yourself if you want to die young
To leave this amazing planet in your prime
Not me
I love this place

Or
Do you want to stay as long as you can
Have amazing experiences
Travel to incredible places
Meet wonderful people
Collect memories
A life
A partner
Children

Ask yourself
If you want to see your children’s children grow up
Be there to help
Support your parents in their old age
Do you want these things?

Or do you want to miss out on the golden years
So that no one ever calls you old?
Or tries to erase you from society
Tells you that you’re a burden that society can’t afford
It would be the worst shame
Old age is everything you’ve lived for

You would miss so much if you didn’t get older
I still feel 30
As did my mother and her mother before her
But age takes away so much youthful stress
So many things you thought mattered
Didn’t
So many things you fretted over
That stole your smiles
Were unimportant

But waking up on a beautiful morning
In an amazing world
Full of wonder and miracles
No longer worried about your appearance
Your figure
Your weight
Your money
Your job
What people think of you
How people react to you
Whether you’re right or wrong
(we’re all both at different times and sometimes the same time)
Etcetera
Ad infinitum

Now that’s a blessing
That doesn’t come with youth


Deb Hawken
September 2023