being old

 Dame Judi Dench, “One day, a young woman asked me:

“What do you think about being old?”

I thought aging was a gift.

I wouldn't change anything I have for a few less wrinkles and a flat stomach.

Who cares if I choose to read or play on the computer until 4 in the morning and then sleep until who knows how much?

Who cares if I dance alone listening to '50s music?

What if I later wanted to cry for a lost love?

And if I walk on the beach in a bathing suit and walk my chubby body and sink between the waves, swinging at them, despite those still wearing bikinis... they'll be old too if they're lucky.

I'm proud that I lived long enough to have my hair done gray and to keep the smile of my youth, since there were still no such deep marks on my face.

I don't want to complain about what wasn't or worry about what will happen. For the time I have left, I will simply love life as I have done it to this day.''