I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful life, or my loving family for less gray hair or a flatter belly. As I've aged, I've become kinder 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 that silly cement gnome that I didn't need, but looks so avante garde on my patio. I am entitled to a treat, 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.
Whose business is it if I choose to read or play on the computer until 4 AM and sleep until noon? I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 60 &70's, and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love, I will.
I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body, and will dive into the waves with abandon if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the jet set.
They, too, will get old.
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 even when somebody's 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 turning 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.
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 (if I feel like it).
Listen to the Silence by Marcia Muller: I'm not sure why I haven't ever been introduced to Marcia Muller's work, but I plan to read more. In this novel, P.I. Sharon McCone discovers, quite by accident, that she was adopted as an infant. She is furious with her Ma, and sets out to find her real parents. Along the way, she encounters resistance like she never imagined, yet gets a whole new perspective on her own live.
Faithful Place by Tana French: One evening, Francis "Frank" Mackay, a member of the Dublin Guard gets a frantic phone call from his sister Jackie. He responds to her call, and winds up involved in a "cold case" and the murder of his young brother, Kevin.
A Clean Kill by Mike Stewart: Another Tom McInnes mystery. Tom is asked to investigate the suspicious death of a juror in a Big ticket lawsuit. The further he and his sidekick Joey and secretary Kelly go into their investigation, the more they become involved in jury tampering and a conspiracy involving the state's high courts, crooked attorneys and judges. Another hit by Stewart!
Whisper to the Blood by Dana Stabenow: In this, the 15th in the Kate Shugak series, Stabenow writes another winner! Global Harvest Resources, a big-time mining firm has purchased mineral rights on lands in the Native Alaskan "Park", a two million acre tract of Alaskan wilderness. There are many who don't want this mine to be opened. Murders begin occurring. Trooper Jim Chopin, Kate's current "guy" has his hands full. Kate, a private investigator steps in to help him, while fighting within herself whether she wants the mine or not, and whether she really wants a romantic attachment with Jim. Told with the prose only a native Alaskan can use, this novel proves that an author's tales can keep getting better and better!
Sins of the Brother by Mike Stewart: This is another "first" novel by Stewart, published in 1999. Attorney Tom McInnes goes back to his home town to attend his brother's funeral. It seems that his brother, Hill, died under mysterious circumstances. Instead of going back to his practice in Mobile, Tom stays to find out who murdered his brother. Well written, Sins of the Brother will have you sitting on the edge of your recliner! It will also make you want to rush to your nearest library or bookstore to grab another in this series by Stewart.
The Cowboy Rides Away by Betsy Thornton: An interesting mystery. Cowboy Leroy Harris is found dead in his ranch house. It looks like a suicide, but friends of Leroy don't think he was the type to take his own life. Chloe Newcomb, a social worker transplant to New Dudley, AZ from New York City, is called out to the scene. She is part of the State Attorney's Victim Witness advocacy. She recognizes Leroy as someone she knew back in NYC many years ago, but by another name. She also feels that Leroy wouldn't have taken his own life, so she sets out to find out just who caused his death. 
A Taint in the Blood by Dana Stabenow: Another Kate Shugak mystery. This time Kate is in Anchorage trying to solve a murder. The woman convicted of it thirty years previous is in prison. Her daughter thinks she is innocent, and hires Kate to investigate the cold case. Trooper Jim Chopin is falling in love with Kate, much to both of their chagrin. It makes for interesting nights!! I recommend this as a quick read for you mystery lovers.
The Singing of the Dead by Dana Stabenow: Published in 2001, this was Stabenow's 11th novel featuring the character Kate Shugak. Shugak, a Native Alaskan is an investigator. In this novel, she is hired as security for a Native woman running for State Congress. Mayhem and murder occurs of course, with Kate in the middle of it all. Along with a well written plot and full bodied characters, Stabenow lures the reader with her wonderful descriptions of the hauntingly beautiful Alaskan wilderness.
Private by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro: If #70 was the worst book I have read this year, Private is one of, if not the best one, I've read this year. From what I can gather, It's the beginning of a new series. Jack Morgan, a former Marine helicopter pilot, owns and operates "Private," a investigative agency. He and his staff take on three bizarre cases. Then the action begins! This is one of those books that I didn't want to put down. I even read through breakfast and dinner. This is a must-read for all mystery/suspense buffs.
Falling Awake by Jayne Ann Krentz: Of all the books I have read this year, this had to be the worst. First, it was "chick-lit" about dreams and and 5th level dreaming. After 421 pages, I still was clear just 5th level dreaming was, and I really didn't care. I just wanted it to be done and over with. Why didn't I quit, you might ask. I don't like to give up on any book, and Krentz is pretty famous as a writer, so I thought I would stick it out and maybe it would get better. The plot was thin and inane. The characters were shallow. The murders were nicely done, but the rest was tripe. Only redeeming thing I could say that Krentz really knows how to spice up the romantic scenes, and the sex was pretty good. On a scale of 1 to 10, how about an overall 2.
High Season by Jon Loomis: Another first novel. Author Loomis writes an entertaining novel about murder and graft in Provincetown. A big Real Estate consortium wants to buy up the town, and the town residents don't want it to happen. Along with a well written plot, Loomis adds humor when talking about the gay and lesbian characters who roam the streets, along with cross dressers, transvestites, and drag queens. All in all, I was impressed with this first work of promising new author.
The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks: Another "tear-jerker" from Sparks. Ronnie and Jonah visit their dad in North Carolina during the summer, not knowing what really lies ahead. Ronnie falls in love with Will. Jonah grows up considerably during the summer months.
Capitol Offense by Mike Doogan: Nik Kane, former police officer, now dectective, is in Juneau, Alaska, investigating a murder. People high up in the Alaskan government are causing trouble, and Nik is on the case to solve, not only one murder, but two. He takes a licking but keeps on hunting down the bad guys with the help of his friendly cabbie, Cocoa. With the twists and turns we've come to expect from Mike Doogan, this book is another grabber. The surprise ending left me speechless!