Age

You cannot be old and wise without first being young and foolish.
- Anita Ares Boudreau, aka 'Memere' (1911-1994)

Life's journey is not to arrive at your grave in a well preserved body; but rather to skid in ass backwards and sideways, totally worn out and shouting, "Holy shit! ... what a ride!"
-- Unknown

Some people try to turn back their odometers. 
Not me, I want people to know why I look this way. 
I've traveled a long way and some of the roads weren't paved.
-- Will Rogers

It's not the years in your life that count.  It's the life in your years.
- Abe Lincoln

Those aren't grey hairs, idiot.  They are strands of glitter growing out of my head.
- Unknown

After a While

(You Learn)

by Veronica A. Shoffstall, 1971

After a while you learn the subtle difference between
holding a hand and chaining a soul.

And you learn that love doesn’t mean leaning,
and company doesn’t always mean security.

And you begin to learn that kisses are not contracts,
and presents aren’t promises.

And you begin to accept your defeats
with your head up and your eyes ahead...

With the grace of a woman,
not the grief of a child.

And you learn
To build all your roads on today,

Because tomorrow's ground is too uncertain for plans,
and futures have a way of falling down in mid-flight.

After a while you learn that even sunshine burns
if you get too much…

So, you plant your own garden,
and decorate your own soul...

Instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers.

And you learn that you really can endure…

you really are strong,
you really do have worth.

And you learn, and you learn…
with every goodbye,

You Learn…