I'm not a setting sun. I'm still riding too high in the sky so I decided not to reply under that root article. I am in what has been called "the youth of old age."
Self acceptance means I am happy and content in my personal world. I love my body, and I don't mind at all if it changes as it gets older. It has served me well and is my friend. The changes in it are like those in good old leather. They are from use, and I don't despise it for them.
I aspire and have goals, but more patience than I used to, and give myself time to reach them. Self acceptance means if I am tired I stop for a little while instead of ploughing on regardless. Then I come back refreshed and move a little closer to whatever counts for me.
Often I recognize what has been achieved by all the strivings through life. We raised good people whom I admire, and who love us. We have a happy marriage, which is getting steadily gentler, more appreciative, and more full of tenderness and understanding. Self acceptance brings understanding.
I am glad I was allowed to do a few things in life that helped to build the good, and to improve conditions for others.
When I look around our home I see what has been built up here by thought and care, by often painful inches and degrees. Evidences of other days has been integrated to bring remembrance of those we love, or have loved. I see things we've made with our own hands, and all our book friends. It makes me feel rooted.
Now there is to appreciate little things, like quail parents caring for tiny quail babies, and robins working cooperatively to bring up their young. I feel tenderness and understanding for these creatures as they strive, just as we did, to care for little ones, keep them fed, safe and well raised.
There is uninterrupted time for more of what I like, without constant distractions. I read, write, ponder, work on developing beautiful plants and flowers in hanging baskets seen from our windows, and make our home a place of peace and refuge.
I often blundered through life. Mercifully, things worked out alright anyway. With experience now I feel reasonably wise and able. This is a time for appreciating the fruits of life's work, for continuing to develop. We still give them confidence and are stabilizing pillars in our children's hearts and lives. We feel useful and needed by each other and others.
Ben and I are planning to buy another business to work on together. We have slowed down, but we pace ourselves, make allowances for physical weaknesses, and try to maintain ourselves physically and mentally, so we can continue to be independent, content and productive.
This is part of what aging and self acceptance are for me. Every stage has demands and pleasures. I expect it will continue to be that way until my life on earth is over. There are always tests and burdens. Our job is to rise to each, and to try to be noble examples. To always try to rise above. Not to give in to boredom or circumstances, but to adapt in whatever way seems best.
I hope you will all be able to enjoy the fruits of your labours.
Loving greetings to each of you, and good wishes, Mary
