We hope Vogue Magazine doesn’t object, but the end of an article in the August 2012 magazine about Bel(le) Kaufman was too good not to share with you. \u00a0It puts so succinctly what its like to grow oldl \u00a0The entire article is worth reading, but the ending is really special. \u00a0It follows:<\/p>\n
“I’ve lived a long time, a very long time, 101 years and I’m, still here. \u00a0I’ve done with the doubts and struggles and insecurities of youth. \u00a0I’m finished with loss and guilt and regret. \u00a0I’m very old, and nothing is expected of me. \u00a0Now, provided good health continues, I can do what I want. \u00a0I can write my memoirs. I can edit my works for future eBooks. \u00a0I can even do nothing – what a luxury that is! \u00a0I have new priorities and a new appreciation of time. \u00a0I enjoy my family more than ever, and also a sunny day and a comfortable bed. \u00a0I keep up my interest in books and theater and people, and when I’m tired, I rest. \u00a0My former students write to me and visit me. \u00a0i had many problems and disasters in my life, fortunately at my age, I don’t remember what they were. \u00a0I’m glad I am 101.”<\/p>\n
I think everyone over 70 years could write a variation of that paragraph. \u00a0The older you are the freer you become – and that crosses race, sex, finances, education, and all the other things which separate, motivate and define us as younger people. \u00a0All of that drops away and we move closer to the diverse universe promised and worked for, but not achieved, when we were young. \u00a0Humanity becomes more humane as year adds to year.<\/p>\n
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