Counting My Blessings #9: Forever Fifty With A Few Compensations

I love the fact that I have survived into my fifties and I wouldn't go back to any other age. I don't lie about my age although sometimes I can't remember when someone asks me! I am blessed to be at a place in my life where I can honestly reflect on my losses and gains and look forward to many more good years full of love, learning, and grace with a few compensations.

I have always loved Judith Viorst from the first time I read The Tenth Good Thing About Barney to a group of students and cried. Her volume Forever Fifty is a favorite in my poetry collection. Enjoy the following and for those of you that are younger... look forward as you get close to being forever fifty! The best is yet to come.


And Now You Want to Know If There Is Anything Good to Say about Getting Older

We aren't as self-centered as we used to be.
We're not as self-pitying- or as just plain dumb.
Middle age has come, and we find
(Along with the inability to sleep all night without
a trip to the bathroom)
A few compensations.

We aren't as uncertain as we used to be.
We've learned to tell the real from the tinsel and fluff.
Getting old is tough, but we find
(Along with the inability to shave our legs unless
we're wearing our glasses)
A few compensations.

We aren't as compliant as we used to be.
We choose our own oughts and musts and got-to's and shoulds.
We're deep into the woods, yet we find
( Along with the inability to eat a pepperfoni pizza at
bedtime)
A few compensations.

We aren't as judgemental as we used to be.
We're quicker to laugh, and not as eager to blame.
There's time left in this game. May we find
(Along with the inability to tell ourselves that
we'll keep playing forever)
A few compensations.

find this volume here along with other favorite titles by Judith Viorst