Growing Old Too Poem by Jim Yerman

I'd like to take a minute and talk about growing old…It's something many people do…
and if you're lucky in this life…you'll, one day, grow old too.

Some say getting old is hard and they don't really want to do it.
I say getting old, like any part of life, is all in how you view it.

Sure getting old means I don't walk as effortlessly or as fast as I walked before….
but that means I get to lean in and hold on to Deborah a little more.

I might not see as well as when I was young
and when someone speaks…I might not hear every word
but, then again, I have seen so many wonders….and so much beauty I have heard.

I might not get up from the floor as gracefully as I once did
and some days it seems impossible to bend
but getting old is the only way to have old memories…and old friends.

A look in the mirror tells me I'm not as young as I once was
and there are days I wish these wrinkles and spots on my skin would scatter
but getting older also makes me realize…those things…don't really matter.

Even on the days I wonder if my wrinkles are turning into cracks…
I remember I raised a family…
I'm retired
I am happy…
It's my time to relax.

For I have gained the wisdom of my years
I know more than I ever thought I'd know
I've been lucky to be around …to watch my children and grandchildren grow.

I could go on and on about the benefits of growing old…for there really its no cap…
but after thinking and writing for a while now…I think I'll take a nap.

Before I do let me remind you to celebrate getting old.
It's a part of life, I guarantee, you will not want to skip
Just be careful how hard you celebrate however…
after all…you wouldn't want to break a hip!