Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Old is Beautiful


I am looking forward to growing old. Very, very old. I would love to see how the little hair I have left turns white. I think it will complement my skin tone and my eyes. I want to look like Gandalf from Lord of the Rings. I wonder if my hands will look like my Basque grandfather ancient hands; brittle and spotted; gentle and warm. I hope I get lots of wrinkles, seriously. You see I love maps and I would like to wear one in my face. Imagine a continent full of bays and peninsulas drawn in your forehead, just gorgeous. By then I would have accumulated hundreds upon hundreds of personal anecdotes. I will soon become a great conversationalist. And I will not be agitated or mortified by hasty people or desperate circumstances because I will be totally convinced that Love conquers all. I think of old age as an elegant waltz full of joy and enchantment.


I have been always fascinated by old people. They are walking encyclopedias of the human experience. Being surrounded my old people enriches my life. I am deeply grateful for them.

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh you are just beyond beautiful you know that?
What a divine heart you have...I love the way you view aging...so appropriate and graceful and respectful.
You are Love.
xxx
mango

Raph G. Neckmann said...

Gandalf! One of my favourite characters! Why don't we both plan on looking like Gandalf as we age, and get our fellow bloggers to judge which of us looks most like him?!

Linda S. Socha said...

I totaly second sweetmango's sentiment. Love this post. I hope you find every beautiful facet in aging you can dream of

Linda

marc aurel said...

The hands, the hands. You can always tell our age by the backs of our hands. Especially when our hands are open

nollyposh said...

You will always ~beautiful~ no matter what the covering be x

nollyposh said...

(Ps) i ~feel~ the same way about the olde beautiful folks tOO... Having lost my GrandPa last year, i nod quietly to your beautiful words with a tear in my eye x

Dusty Devoe said...

i third sweetmango's comment! you sill be one of those old guys everyone wants to visit!

Sydney said...

And I fourth it!

All I can add is --Wow, I am stunned. If only we all had this view.


My years working in the entertainment business as a wardrobe stylist and image consultant gave me a front row seat to people who feel just the opposite. I loved the creative work and sometimes the excitement, but it certainly made me queasy on a soul level... Which is why I've taken a nice, long sabbatical.

Sending you lots of love Mr. Pink C. Thank you for continuing to inspire!

Natalie said...

Me too!
Please read my story about falling in love at 92.
It is called "A little Tribute" on my sidebar. I think you will really love it.

Hugs.xx♥

Unknown said...

inspiring man you are- i am loving being an older woman- loving the life i have lived and the way it shows in my every word and deed xxx

Tess Kincaid said...

My 93 year old grandfather died two years ago. He had ancient hands just like your Basque grandfather and was an encyclopedia of experience. I miss him so much.

I haven't quite grasped aging like you have, though.

Lovely post, Mr. Cowboy.

Sydney said...

Hello my dearest PC, mister man,

I gave you a blog award on today's post at LOOKY HERE. Stop by when you get a minute. You are truly deserving!

http://lookyhereu.blogspot.com/

The Pink Cowboy said...

I am deeply moved by your comments. I am happy beyond belief to what I think is a very deep and profound connection between us bloggers. I am proud to be part of your community. I wrote this little piece on aging after driving through a expressway full of billboards featuring only young and "beautiful" people. I got sick to my stomach thinking how older people in our society are totally ignored and hidden.

sweetmango- Nameste.Your words are so incredibly rich and powerful. I feel invigorated by them.

Raph- I forgot to mention that I have met very old exquisite giraffes. They are wise and kind. I'm sure you've met a couple of them.

Linda- I like the idea of finding beautiful facets in your life. Just like a diamond.

Marc- Indeed. Open hands, giving hands.

Nolly- It's true, the skin is just "covering", what truly matters is inside of you.

Dusty- I am "becoming" old. Little by little, day by day. :-)

Sydney- I think that if you worked in that industry you must have a ton of insights into that world. I would love to read some in your blog.

Natalie- I'm rushing over to read that post. I know I am going to enjoy it.

Lisa- Your experience and insights are very valuable to others like me. I'm still trying to figure it all out. Thank you for your comment.

Willow- My paternal grandmother died four years ago at 99. She was a remarkable woman of integrity and kindness. It is through her that I inherited my passion for the arts and literature. She was old and beautiful. I miss her.

Linda S. Socha said...

TPC\

This is such a loving and connected post in response to your comments received. You are a gifted and talented man who knows what counts in life
Linda

Peggy said...

I ADORE this post, Cowboy. I, too, have always loved older people. I'm drawn to them, as if their gravitational pull draws me into their orbits where I learn and grow like with no one else on earth. Thank you so much for sharing this side of you. ((sigh))

Brenda Heisler said...

Great post. Old people are admired in other cultures for their wisdom. I love to see an old couple holding hands and kissing. Old love is love that has survived the test of time.

A Cuban In London said...

So, you also have Basque blood? Welcome to the club!

What a beautiful post. Not many people look forward to getting old, we're so busy trying to stay young, with our anti-wrinkle creams and facial massages. Many thanks for such an honest offering.

Greetings from London.

Midlife, menopause, mistakes and random stuff... said...

What a fantastic blog you have going here and I can't wait for more posts!!
That "Old is Beautiful" is....well....beautiful. It reminded me of my loving, sweet darling Grandmother who raised my brother's and me. She lived a very happy and fulfilled life to the age of 94.
If you have a moment or two of your life that you'd care to waste, please visit me at my blog and say hello.
Wishing you a weekend filled with much love, joy and laughter and....

Steady On
Reggie Girl

Barbara Martin said...

Great post on aging. I will be looking at it differently now.

Anonymous said...

Wow........loved this post - a lot - and I couldn't agree with you more.

I'll be 40 in a few months and friends call me grazy that I'm looking forward to say: Yes, I'm 40and I'm loving every bit of it.
So thx.....I'm not the only one for heaven's sake...that is looking forward to grow old and hopefully wise.