45 from 90!

Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone....saw this in an e-mail sent with 45 little quotes written by a 90 year old.I think of Nana T who also is 90 but could not verbalize herself.. I have to share b/c they all seem to hold value, thank you Karen for the share! : ) I always look forward to your e-mails!

Written by Regina Brett, 90 years old, of the Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio .
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"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most requested column I've ever written.

My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.

16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time.. You already have all you need.

42. The best is yet to come....

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

44. Yield.

45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."
So back to the cry one! Seeing Nana T today as every time I see her I seem to try my hardest to contain my tears. It very rarely works though. I should take my own advise like I say to friends...."like laughing when happy...you should cry when sad b/c you would NEVER hold back the laugh so why hold back the tears...it is such a valid emotion and if needed then do it...no shame in that"/////
So it was so heart wrenching when Nana T cried first. When putting my cheek next to hers she burst out into tears and in my happiest voice I told her how beautiful she is and how much I love her and she means so much to me. She then says don't worry. So by her saying that and realizing she comprehends more than people may think I had to burst within reason to not alarm her....It was so good to have Michael right next to me, the one who knows me so deep and so intensely that he takes the weight of my worry and supports it when I can only support so much. He knew I could tell that he ust knew that by her saying that it would start my tears. I feel some what good to know that she comprehends to an extent when we talk to her. My first words to her today were "come stai? " and she said oh eh! meza meza...that there shows me she is some what getting it a we lil bit. When she opens her eyes she tears up..I think it is easier for her to keep them closed when we are there emotionally. I tell ya I LOVE THAT WOMEN...she is MY NANA T! to sit and hold her frail but oh so still soft hand and have her grip it back also gives me a sense of warmth! I LOVE YOU NANA T...ALWAYS WILL! xoxoxo Love YOUR STEPHIE!