Morning Mirror Edition 145 - 11/7/2005




In this edition

Smalls



FOR BABY BOOMERS ONLY



Old age, I have 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 baggy eyes, and the sagging butt. And often I am taken aback by that old person that lives in my mirror, but I don't agonise over those things for long.

I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful life, my loving family for less grey hair or a flatter belly. As I've aged, I've become more kind 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 gecko that I didn't need, but looks so avante garde on my patio. 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 ageing.

Whose business is it if I choose to read or play on the computer until 4 a.m, and sleep until noon?

I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 60'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 bikini 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 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.

Author unknown!

What I Like

What I like I can explain just like that,
It is not a cute dog or a little Kitty cat.
What I like is buried deep in my soul,
In my life it has played an important role.
Most people I know will never see,
How beautiful this thing can be.
This thing or place I love the most,
I have been there this I can boast.
This place has a name,
It is the place from whence I came.
It is Africa, so beautiful so bold,
To leave there made my heart go cold.
Now I have some things to share,
About this place, Africa so dear.

You awake in the morning to the Fish Eagles call,
You see him out the window so proud so tall.
Looking further about a mile,
What I see makes me smile.
A lion pride boasting their skill,
Swarming around a fresh wildebeest kill.
The hyenas come closer looking for a bite,
They come too close and breakout in a fight.
What I am about to tell I cannot explain in ink,
It is a blend of orange, red and pink.
The sunset in Africa is such a sight,
It is magnificent Africa in all its might.
It is such a pity I had to leave,
As Africa is a great place, I believe.

Matthew Sutton (14 years old) N.Z.


CONGRATULATIONS



BIRTHS
ISABELLA HOPE FUTTER
BORN IN LONDON 24th JUNE 2005 TO THE VERY PROUD PARENTS OF GREAME & PHILLIPPA FUTTER

Golden Wedding Anniversary

Audrey and Guy Lushington
9/7/55 at Saint Mary's Cathedral


CONDOLENCES

With Deepest Sympathy to the families of the following




SYMPATHY MESSAGES



JUKENA LEZAR, MUCH LOVED MOTHER OF BRIAN, VERONICA, PATSY, VALDA, REG AND NEVILLE



Willie Gouma - dearest dad of Jason, Matthew, Martin and Melissa. Son of Emmy and brother of Rudi and Nicola. Uncle of Marc, Lauren and Daniel. Died peacefully in the UK.


JOYCE JANJETICH
PASSED AWAY SUDDENLY ON 3RD JULY 2005 IN HILTON, KWAZULU-NATAL. FONDLY REMEMBERED BY ALL PUPILS OF DOROTHY AINSCOUGH SCHOOL OF DANCING. DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO SHARLEEN AND FAMILY SHE WAS AN INSPIRATION TO US ALL.
MAUREEN, MIKE AND CAROLINE WELLS


TIDBITS



What's up on trial here is Christianity itself. You cannot walk away from this and call yourself a Christian and sit in power. Distance does not decide who is your brother and who is not. The church is going to have to become the conscience of the free market if it's to have any meaning in this world - and stop being its apologist.


"I've learned there are troubles
of more than one kind
Some come from ahead,
some from behind
But I've bought a big bat;
I'm all ready you see
Now my troubles will have
trouble with me."
- Dr Seuss -




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