Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Email from a friend that brought a smile to my face

The other day a young person asked me how I felt about being old. I was taken aback, for I do not think of myself as old. Upon seeing my reaction, he was immediately embarrassed, but I explained that it was an interesting question, and I would ponder it, and let him know.

Old Age, I 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 agonize over those things for long.

I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful life, my loving family for less gray 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 a treat, to be messy, to be extravagant.
I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon; before they understood t he 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.&n bsp; 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 sin gle day. (If I feel like it)

MAY OUR FRIENDSHIP NEVER COME APART ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S STRAIGHT FROM THE HEART!
MAY YOU ALWAYS HAVE A RAINBOW OF SMILES ON YOUR FACE AND IN YOUR HEART FOREVER AND EVER!

FRIENDS FOREVER!
Life is a journey... enjoy the trip...

Monday, October 08, 2007

Dog rescue ...Clean up project


Wow… what a month. You know I think it has been about a month since I’ve been posting regularly. Why did I disappear. Actually I didn’t really, I’ve been here all along. Just psycho busy.

I’ve been the primary in a dog rescue and clean-up project that still isn’t finished. Thankfully we did have a few volunteers helping out but the brunt of it fell into my lap. Simply because folks had no idea just how big of a job it was.

So far we’ve moved over 45 poms to our place. No I’m not increasing my breeding kennel. This is strictly a rescue and clean up project. After they have stabilized the plan is to start on the spay and neuter, and place part of them. The lady they are coming from has finally agreed to place part of them. It has been a major challenge to remove them from her property. She is unable to care for them. Or to the upkeep and maintenance to her property. She is a senior citizen and it has been extremely traumatic for her as well as for her dogs.

I know she has hired people to do the maintence and clean up on her property… when you have dogs it’s a continuous process. When I looked at her kennel runs I knew they just took her money and didn’t do the work. The runs were absolutely filthy and over run with fleas. The fleas were to the point that they were killing the dogs.

Yes I have been on a flea killing rampage. I refuse to have fleas on my property so I’ve been dipping her dogs and spraying the runs I’ve been putting them in. So far so good. The fleas are dying and no spread on my property.

I am not running a second breeding kennel on my ranch. But I will keep her dogs here for her and clean them up. Once they’ve stabilized I’ll start the spay and neuter process. This way she can come and see them and be involved in their care as much as possible.

It’s important that senior citizens… anyone really… feels they contribute.

Gotta run…
Life is a journey…enjoy the trip… Mary E. Robbins & the Happy Hairballs
307-788-0202

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