Wisdom from BadBobby...

I would never trade my friends, or my long-lived life for less white hair or a flat belly.
As I've aged, I've become kinder to myself and less critical.
I've become my own friend. I don't chide myself for eating that extra cookie or for not making up my bed.
Nor for buying that stupid cement gecko that I didn't need but that looks so avant-garde on my patio.
I am entitled to extra treats, to be messy and to be extravagant.
I have seen too many of my dear friends leave this world before they understood the freedom that comes with aging.
Whose business is it if I choose to play on my computer until three am and then sleep until noon?
I will dance by myself to those wonderful songs from the 40s, 50s, 60s, and 70s and if I need to weep over a lost love I will.
I will walk the beach in a swimsuit stretched over a bulging body and will dive into the waves with abandon if I so choose, despite the pitying looks from the young. They too will age.
I know I am sometimes forgetful, but some things may be better forgotten. But I do remember all the important things.
Over the years my heart has been broken. How can your heart not be broken when you lose a loved one, a friend, or when you see a child suffering or when you lose a loving pet?
But broken hearts give us strength, understanding and compassion. A never-broken heart is pristine and sterile and will never know the joy of being imperfect.
I am blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair thin and turn white, and to have my youthful laughs forever etched deeply in my face.
As you age it's easier to be positive, you can care less what others think.
I don't question myself. I've earned the right to be wrong and I have got used to being old, it has set me free.
I like the person I have become.
I'm not going to live forever, but while I am here, I will live each day to the fullest and will eat ice cream every day

Wisdom from BadBobby...

I would never trade my friends, or my long-lived life for less white hair or a flat belly.
As I've aged, I've become kinder to myself and less critical.
I've become my own friend. I don't chide myself for eating that extra cookie or for not making up my bed.
Nor for buying that stupid cement gecko that I didn't need but that looks so avant-garde on my patio.
I am entitled to extra treats, to be messy and to be extravagant.
I have seen too many of my dear friends leave this world before they understood the freedom that comes with aging.
Whose business is it if I choose to play on my computer until three am and then sleep until noon?
I will dance by myself to those wonderful songs from the 40s, 50s, 60s, and 70s and if I need to weep over a lost love I will.
I will walk the beach in a swimsuit stretched over a bulging body and will dive into the waves with abandon if I so choose, despite the pitying looks from the young. They too will age.
I know I am sometimes forgetful, but some things may be better forgotten. But I do remember all the important things.
Over the years my heart has been broken. How can your heart not be broken when you lose a loved one, a friend, or when you see a child suffering or when you lose a loving pet?
But broken hearts give us strength, understanding and compassion. A never-broken heart is pristine and sterile and will never know the joy of being imperfect.
I am blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair thin and turn white, and to have my youthful laughs forever etched deeply in my face.
As you age it's easier to be positive, you can care less what others think.
I don't question myself. I've earned the right to be wrong and I have got used to being old, it has set me free.
I like the person I have become.
I'm not going to live forever, but while I am here, I will live each day to the fullest and will eat ice cream every day

Lot of profound thoughts from Badbobby. My wife and I were visiting a good friend of my wife's father one year in Boston. After a nice visit, we asked for a restaurant recommendation, which he provided. We said our goodbyes and then drove over to relax and enjoy a pleasant meal. Since a long time ago, I don't recall the name of the establishment. As we were about to enter the restaurant, an elderly gentleman came down the stairs and in an almost confrontational stance, was in my face and in a loud, gruff voice said, "what's the most important thing in world". Waiting a second to let the heavy sent of alcohol pass by, I said "peace of mind". He said, "NO. Good health" and then he stumbled off into the night with someone I assumed was his wife. As my wife and I sat at our table waiting for dinner, I said to her, there is a man who is confronting a major health issue himself or of someone he is very close to. But I said I will stick with peace of mind. For when you look around, there are people in Hollywood for example that have their health, fame and fortune beyond belief and yet their lifestyle is an example of what not to do with the life you have been given. What are they searching for, because looking from the outside, they seem to have everything anyone would want? I believe they are missing a calm soul--missing peace of mind.
Badbobby's thoughts brought all of this to mind. He has gained wisdom through the years and I believe peace of mind follows him through the days.

Lot of profound thoughts from Badbobby. My wife and I were visiting a good friend of my wife's father one year in Boston. After a nice visit, we asked for a restaurant recommendation, which he provided. We said our goodbyes and then drove over to relax and enjoy a pleasant meal. Since a long time ago, I don't recall the name of the establishment. As we were about to enter the restaurant, an elderly gentleman came down the stairs and in an almost confrontational stance, was in my face and in a loud, gruff voice said, "what's the most important thing in world". Waiting a second to let the heavy sent of alcohol pass by, I said "peace of mind". He said, "NO. Good health" and then he stumbled off into the night with someone I assumed was his wife. As my wife and I sat at our table waiting for dinner, I said to her, there is a man who is confronting a major health issue himself or of someone he is very close to. But I said I will stick with peace of mind. For when you look around, there are people in Hollywood for example that have their health, fame and fortune beyond belief and yet their lifestyle is an example of what not to do with the life you have been given. What are they searching for, because looking from the outside, they seem to have everything anyone would want? I believe they are missing a calm soul--missing peace of mind.
Badbobby's thoughts brought all of this to mind. He has gained wisdom through the years and I believe peace of mind follows him through the days.