THE BEAUTY OF NATURE (Part 3) GAME VIEWING IN ZIMBABWE

All photos are from www.flickr.com
MATUSADONHA NATIONAL PARK
Situated on the shores of Lake Kariba, Matusadona National Park
occupies a lakefront wilderness which is home to a multitude of
animals, among them elephant, black rhino, buffalo, eland, sable and
roan, impala, girraffe, and hyena. 
Waterbucks are at home on the floodplains where hippo graze
at night. Crocodiles lurk and lie in wait, and the air is alive with
expectancy.

It provides the adventurer with a scenic combination of wildlife
roaming grassy plains, and secluded bays and inlets which are
home to a plethora of animals and birds.

Matusadona is famous for the dramatic sight of viewing
a combination of wildlife & a sunset over the lake - one of
the most beautiful sights in Africa.
PEACE reigns at Matusadonha as nature takes its course
against a backdrop of wildlife.
The photographs below tried to capture the beauty of watching
animals over sunset or sunrise, over a bright full moon or on a
misty morning.





Game Viewing from a houseboat at Matusadona National Park .
This really captured the unique beauty of the experience at
Matusadonha.



Here yellow fades to orange and orange bursts to reds, crimson and
black, while the silent whisper of night creeps up from behind a lone
elephant. This is hauntingly beautiful.. nature in its full glory.


Impala on a misty morning, just look at how the animal blends
in with the surroundings. The bushes, the grass, the mist and
the impala, they just look perfect together.



A giraffe silhouetted against the sunset, a stunning rendition,
 showing off the powerful natures of Earth and creature
 when they merge. So beautiful that it almost looks surreal.



A beautiful sight  at Matusadonha as the glowing moon shines
across a cloud speckled sky when a hyena is sniffing around for
 a scent that can lead it to prey. Who said moonlight was not as
beautiful as sun light.



MANA POOLS
A trip to the lower Zambezi's great wildlife reserve at Mana Pools
is for travellers who wish to see Africa untamed and truly wild, to
live in nature and to be more than a mere observer. For this is
Africa at her best, a remote wilderness in an exquisite corner of
Zimbabwe - a place of solitude, a meeting place of man and the
great beasts, a place of water, big trees and big sky.

Mana Pools is ranked as one of Africa's outstanding wildlife
reserves. Set against a backdrop of hills and with magnificent
trees creating a park-like effect, it deserves its designation as
a World Heritage Site. The riverfront scenery is exceptionally
grand. Here, the wide Zambezi flows steady, but a series of
meandering waterways wind through grassy flats and low lying
islands. During the winter months it has the highest concentration
of game in the entire continent. Mighty herds of elephant and buffalo
are drawn to the sweet Zambezi waters, followed by lion, hyena, kudu,
nyala,impala and a multitude of game.

Paddling in a canoe down the Zambezi at Mana Pools is one of the most
unique safari experiences in Africa - coming close to great herds without
feeling like an intruder, warm African sun beating the brow, the beauty
of great raptors soaring and circling above, the stillness, serenity and awe.


What is so striking at Mana Pools is the LOVE the different couples
of animals and birds show to each other, which is what the photographs
below captured.

Witnessing the LOVE-in-action by animal couples at Mana Pools leaves
you agreeing with I-Jah-Man in his song, "Two sides of love," when he
says, "Love makes the world go round, how sweet is love, it blooms as it
pleases."




A sublime portrait of intimacy is shown by these buffalo dream
lovers. This is so sweet, lovers sleeping tight, holding on to each
other. This is a cosy kind of love.



"Honey please can you message  my back in that special way of
yours that makes me feel relaxed and peaceful. Yes, like that,
Ummmm!!!!" the lioness seems to be saying to the lion.
This is heart-warming love.



Love is in the air for these elephants seen here touching & feeling
each other in their own special way. This is beautiful love.


Zebras exploring each other's bodies. "Honey how does it feel if I
touch you here and like this." This is love in action.



The kiss on the beak that says, "I love you babe, and am happy
you are by my side at this moment in time." This is lovely love.



GONAREZHOU
THE glorious Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe sweep southwards
and slowly give way to the lowlands and the wildlife reserve of
Gona-re-Zhou - a wild, rugged "place of elephants". Among
Zimbabwean conservationists, Gonarezhou enjoys a long-standing
reputation as one of the most interesting wilderness havens in the
country.
The park is home to some of the most unusual species of game, such
as Lichtenstein's hartebeest, nyala and suni antelope, and its wooded
bushlands house a healthy population of elephant. Other animals include
giraffe, buffalo, zebra, waterbuck, roan, sable and impala, followed in
their paths by the predators, lion, leopard and hyena.

Gonarezhou has always been appreciated as much for its wilderness
atmosphere as its wildlife. There is a diversity of terrain, from mopani
tree savanna and acacia woodlands to riverine forests and fine old baobab
trees.

What is so interesting at Gonarezhou is the HAPPINESS exuded by the
animals as they play with each other in their natural habitat

The experience will leave you feeling so happy having caught on the
HAPPINESS from the animals, you know how HAPPINESS is contagious.




 
Happiness abounds as these elephants swim and bath each other
or is that making love in the river. What ever it is, the elephants
are showing that they feel at home in their habitat and are happy.




Side by side, through thick and thin forests, this is reason enough
for these zebras to be happy to be at Gonarezhou National Park.


 
The wild, untamed beauty of these two animals as they shared
some quality time together gripped me by my throat for a second,
(literally!) No wonder they look so happy.




Even the most powerful predator of them all gets time away from
the hustle and bustle of hunting for prey and gets down to the 
basics of relating to the finer issues of life, like love and happiness. 




Happiness is an attitude that makes even the most mundane things
in life like eating food together very enjoyable. Look at those
corkscrew antlers, God is the best artist ever.


 
HWANGE GAME RESERVE
A short flight from Victoria Falls is Hwange National Park., one of
the great nature reserves of Africa which boasts one of the largest
concentration of elephant in Africa, as well as kudu, sable, roan, eland,
antelope, zebra and waterbuck. Also present are large populations of
buffalo, giraffe, rhino and zebra. The abundance of prey attracts the
full spectrum of predators - some 25 species - including lion, leopard,
wild dog and hyena. Birders and twitters will delight at the 400 species
of feathered friends which grace the park.

The greater portion of the reserve is managed as a wilderness camp area
which is only accessible to visitors staying in small, exclusive lodges. It
is here in these camps, that the wildlife lover will have a true wilderness
experience and come face to face with the great diversity and quantity of
Hwange's wildlife.

An early game drive, to watch as the sun rises on another day in Zimbabwe
while the great creatures begin their daily quest for food and water will
enable you to observe the wonderful CO-EXISTENCE exihibitated by the
different animals and birds as they share life in Hwange Wildlife Reserve.

The CO-EXISTENCE experience at Hwange leaves you wondering if
humans are indeed more civilised than animals.






 
Coexistance in practice, as this girraffe tries to belong to the same
level of height as the wildbeast by bending its front legs so that it
doesn't tower too high above the wildbeast and make it feel inferior.


  
The birds are saying to the buffalo, "Hey fellow Hwange citizen
even though we have different political views concerning life
in our mutual habitat, it's nice to co-exist in harmony despite our
differences." Note that this is Hwange Game Reserve, not the 
Garden of Eden.


 
Elephants and egrets taking a leisurely walk together in the Hwange
wildlife reserve. The elephant could easily trample on and crush the
egrets if it so chooses but it doesn't because its small brain knows that
there is no point in doing that, so it opts for the joys of co-existance
instead. This is an amazingly beautiful shot. The elephant, the egrets,
and those beautiful mountains behind. Wonderful!!!





  
It sure is sweet, how one of the most dangerous mammals, the
crocodile, is posing no danger at all to the egyptian geese. Look
at how the geese don't look worried at all. Co-existance at its best.




    
An antelope having a leisurely trot within the environs of its home
in the Hwange National Park. Look at how beautiful it looks with
birds perched on its back. The kind of oneness and neighbourliness
between birds and animals potrayed by that photograph is a common
feature at Hwange , which shows how the animals have mastered the
harmony of co-existance

THE BEAUTY OF NATURE (Part 2) Nyanga

The beautiful pictures below were taken by Jerry H. and can be found on this link, http://www.flickr.com/photos/zimcontracts/sets/72157619386536108/

Nyanga is a natural lure for the nature-lovers.
Sublime relaxation await the nature-lover at Nyanga which is in
the beautiful Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe, what with its
majestic granite peaks, verdant valleys, prolific birdlife, trout fishing
and fine golf courses. It is also the birthplace of rivers and cascades.
Adding to the attractions are leisurely walks over hill and dale,
hikes along mountain paths with each bend opening up to another
magnificent vista, horse and pony trekking and of course, the deeply
satisfying enjoyment of trout fishing in the crystal clear streams and 
bubbling brooks.
This narrow sliver of high country at altitudes up to 6 000 feet which
sweeps along glorious mountain ranges on Zimbabwe's eastern border
with Mozambique, is ideal for those who want to relax and enjoy
crisp mountain air.
Its peace inducing capabilities are second to none.




This view at Troutbeck Inn in Nyanga is a paradise for nature-lovers,
 with its stunning combination of a lavishly green  mountain, lush 
forests with  exotic plants and a breathtaking water spot which has a 
carpet-like green lawn at its banks.  This you will  agree with me is 
nature at its best.





 Mutarazi Falls, the second tallest waterfall in Africa. It
plunges some 762 metres into deep-forested gorges, where rock
pools abound and beckon.
The top of the Falls is a camp site. If you love this photograph
then seeing the Falls in reality will make you gasp in awe.




The second drop of Mutarazi Falls which plunges gracefully into
the Honde Valley. The area around the falls is a small National
Park. Looking at it makes me sing the song, "What a wonderful
world ," by Rod Stewart.



This looks like heaven on earth to me, what more can I say, this
most beautiful place has made me speechless with its beauty.
You can view and experience it at the Blue Swallow Lodges at
Troutbeck Inn in Nyanga.


A magnificent  view of the Pungwe Falls which is 243metres high 
and which flows down into the Honde Valley.



Susurumba Mountain is not only a lovely scenic place to view, it
is yours to climb if you are into mountain climbing.



A spectacular view across the Udu Dam with flat topped, thorny,
Umbrella (Acacia) trees at the banks of the river and a beautiful
mountain in the background. Such is the beauty of nature in
Nyanga.



Sunset over the Udu Dam which is situated on the road to
Inyangombe Falls, close to the main Inyanga road.  
This is beautiful.


  
The upper end of the Mare Dam, which is a trout fishing spot with
Mount Inyangani the highest mountain in Zimbabwe in the
background.


 
This is a private cottage  in Nyanga which is far from the madding
crowd and surrounded by nature in the form of granite kopjes and
fir trees, with little dams on mountain streams on the other side.


 
Natural savanna trees can be viewed across the Mare dam and their
reflection in the water make a sight that seems to be out of this
world.




The Inyangombe swimming pool which has an unused low level
bridge above it and is situated in the Inyanga National Park, is a
popular picnic spot. The pool has a pleasant beach and picnic
area, with clean, invigoratingly cold mountain
stream water to swim in.




If you know beauty when you see it then you will agree with me
that this is it, in fact this is more than beautiful, it is splendid
beauty. Its all yours to view and experience if you book into
those lovely Blue Swallow lodges at Troutbeck Inn.




For those who do fishing, Nyanga Lake is waiting for your fish baits
hooked on your fishing rods.

THE BEAUTY OF NATURE (Part 1) The Victoria Falls

Nature is at its best at Victoria Falls, which is in Zimbabwe and is
one of the seven wonders of the world.
Known also by the African name Mosi-oa-Tunya which means
the Smoke that Thunders this great waterway was named by the
English explorer, David Livingstone, who declared that "angels in
flight most probably pause to marvel at this beautiful sight".
The Victoria Falls Bridge majestically straddles the Batoka Gorge
below the Falls. It is 111 metres above the water and that's how
far you'll drop if you decide to take on the world's highest
commercial bungee jump






  
You can wallow in the beauty of a rainbow as you fly past
the Victoria Falls in a helicopter on a sunny day.
At high flood, the wall of water is a mile wide, the ground shakes
and trembles and mist is thrown hundreds of feet into the air,
making this "thundering smoke" visible from 20 miles away.
The resulting spray of water causes giant rainbows and a
mini rainforest is sustained by the perpetual mist. It is the magnet
that draws many travelers to the banks of the mighty
Zambezi River, to stop and gaze in awe through rainbow mists at
this most beautiful sight.




  
A helicopter ride over the Victoria Falls enables you to view
the different cataracts of the Falls which are such an awesome
sight to see.
The beauty of nature curves and dances in the mists above
thundering cataracts, as the mighty Zambezi River plunges
over 300 feet in a cataclysm of cascading water. At night, 
by the light of a full moon, you can see moonbows in the spray.



  
You can get into a waterjet and view the Victoria Falls 
closely from there while enjoying the waterjet  ride on the 
Zambezi river.
Alternatively there are magnificent walks through the Rain Forest,
resplendent with Acacias, lianas, strangler figs, ferns and orchids,
while sunbirds, paradise flycatchers, bulbuls and finches are among
the many birds that can be seen. In the canopy above, vervet
monkeys play in their own glorious Eden.




 
Victoria falls tourist resorts are famous  for offering its 
adrenalin-seeking visitors Bunji jumping.
From the bridge, bungee-jumpers look like human puppets, their
bodies hanging limply from the strong elastic cord, their limbs flailing
in the air. You can hear the screams of exhilaration as they drop
towards the water with the Victoria Falls roaring behind them.



 
If you are not into Bunji jumping, you can get a thrill 
from whitewater rafting in the Zambezi waters.
The more intrepid (or more foolhardy) can white-water raft the
great river downstream from the falls as it divides Zambia and
Zimbabwe. This particular adventure is known to be one of the
most terrifying in the world.







                                                                                                                                                                                              

The paradox of our time

Recently I came across an article that George Carlin the  comedian of
the 70's and 80's wrote a few years ago just after his wife had died.
The truth in the article is just so true that I had to share it with you.

This is the message by George Carlin:

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but
shorter tempers, wider Freeways , but narrower viewpoints. We spend
more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger
houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have
more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more
experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness. 
We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little,
drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too
little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too
much, love too seldom, and hate too often. We've learned how to make a
living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been
all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to
meet a new neighbour. We conquered outer space but not inner space.
We've done larger things, but not better things. We've cleaned up the air,
but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice.
We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've
learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more
information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less
and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small
character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of
two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These
are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night
stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet,
to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing
in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this message to you, and
a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete...

Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not
going to be around forever.
Remember, say a kind word to your children who looks up to you in awe,
because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side. 
Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the
only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.
Remember, to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but
most of all mean it.
Remember a kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep
inside of you. 
Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person
will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious
thoughts in your mind.
AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments
that take our breath away.

Peace, peace, peace

As we speak I am trying to pick myself up from an emotional rubble. Like the survivor that I am, I always find means to give myself a peace of mind and to make myself happy through Christ who strengthens me. Besides the situation in my life it is not an understatement to say peace of mind is the next sought after 'commodity' in human life second to love. It appears that most of us are in a state of perpetual restlessness, strain, rush or stress which hinders us from attaining peace of mind. Our minds are in constant chatter thinking about this and that and as long as that chatter is there in our minds we can't have peace of mind. In spite of challenging times in my own life and in the world around me, I have learnt to be a person who lives with serenity and tranquility.

This is how I always manage to reclaim my peace of mind and happiness.
1.
I wake up at 5:30am everyday and give myself thirty minutes to connect to God and meditate about my life and what I want to do on that day. In my early morning prayer I always personalize Paul's prayer in 2 Thessalonians 3:16 for myself saying, “May the Lord of peace himself give me peace at all times and in every way.” I also take the advice of the Bible in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 which says, “Give thanks in all circumstances,” so even during trying times I give thanks to God with a prayer that says, “I thank Thee, O God, that it is not always like this.” For areas of life that are beyond my control, I place them in God’s hands, by copying the psalm writer who prayed, "My times are in your hands” in Psalm 31:15. By the
time I go and bath at 6:00am I would be feeling at peace with God as well as with myself.

2.
As I bath and afterwards when I am dressing up and eating my breakfast I will be listening to my personal collection of soft soothing music which always manages to make me relax, put me in a good state of mind and organize my thoughts for the day. I have always thought that music is the best thing that happened to us humans; nothing beats the peace of mind- making capabilities of soft music.

3.
As I go about my normal day to day living I use the following lessons I learnt in life as I grew up to create peace of mind and happiness for myself.
I have noted that often it is the loss of balance and perspective about life that increases stress and anxiety so I always adopt the attitude that my cup is half full, not half empty and whenever I feel inclined to be sorry for myself I think of the multitudes of people who are worse of than me. Life gave me the insight that a happy person is not a person in a certain set of circumstances, but rather a person with a certain set of attitudes so I always maintain a happy attitude no matter what sort of circumstances I am in. Let me admit that even though I invariably appear to be cheerful, I don't always feel that way but I always act as if I am joyful and exude joy towards those with whom I have contact. The joy I give out will be the joy that returns to me, it is like a boomerang--a little blessed boomerang.
When I have been slighted, offended, or insulted, I trained myself to forgive quickly and generously since life taught me that remembering wrongs and reviewing retribution can be tiresome burdens to carry. So I always let go of resentment and
relinquish the need of retribution. In so doing, I discovered that the weight of anger and hostility is lifted out of my life.
Life also taught me that inevitably, people who experience peace and serenity have
some of the following characteristics of inner peace: a loss of interest in judging others; limited ability to worry; overwhelming episodes of appreciation; frequent attacks of smiling; feeling connected to others and with self; increased openness to receive love as well as an uncontrollable urge to extend it and a loss of interest in conflict and argumentation. By incorporating these characteristics into myself I cultivate some inner peace which I maintain by always thinking of the wisdom from the apostle Paul in Romans 8:6 which says, “The mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.”
Over the years I have come to the realization that I shouldn’t get caught up in giving priority chasing after superficial goals such as materialism & wealth. Such a chase should be done in moderation because letting it rule my life can become emotionally exhausting. So I live by principles that encourage chasing after the finer issues in life like love, peace and happiness which happen to be the issues that produce contentment in my life and are most important for me. This was consolidated by my belief that I don't need to have what "everyone" else has in order to enjoy life because trying to keep up with others can break me financially and emotionally so I am always happy with what I have at that particular moment whilst working towards attaining more.

4.
All throughout my day I let the following wisdom of people who inspire me
guide me.
There is the wisdom of Mahatma Gandhi who said, “'When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love has always won. There have been tyrants and murderers and for a time they seem invincible, but in the end they always fall.” This saying makes me believe in truth and love at all times which results in my happiness.
Martin Luther King observed that, "Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that," His observation inspires me to live and walk in the light always.
A certain William Penn once wrote, “I expect to pass through this world but once and any good therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now. Let me not defer it or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.” His philosophy inspires me to be kind to others at all times.
The writer James Thurber encourages me to live in the present with his saying, “Let us not look back in anger, or forward in tear, but around in awareness”
Jim Henson, creator of the Muppets said “I believe in taking a positive attitude
toward the world.... My hope still is to leave the world a little bit better than when I got here.” I have adopted his belief and always aim to make the world the best place to live in.
The great visionary Mahatma Gandhi’s famous saying, “Be the change that you want to see in the world”, urges me to act towards my vision of the better world I want to live in and the life I want to lead.
Bob Marley in his Redemption song said that, “None but ourselves can free our minds” and this phrase makes me realize that no one but myself is responsible for creating the kind of environment that induces a peace of mind and happiness in my life.

5.
I have my own set of cardinal principles that guide my every action and reaction,
with an underlying motive of walking the talk of my vision of peace, love and happiness unto the whole world, starting with my own life.
These are as follows:
I always maintain my personal integrity by being myself and saying what I mean, and
meaning what I say. Duplicity is stressful so I always avoid that trip and so exemplify the values I profess to admire.
I don't have to do everything; I don't have to agree to accept every request that comes my way. “No, thank you” can be the three-word sentence that gives me a less hectic schedule and more peace of mind.
I practice self care because life taught me that my ability to deal with stress increases as I take care of myself. I do this by eating nutritious, balanced meals, by exercising, and by getting enough sleep.
I always make sure that my supper time is peaceful. I never eat standing up; I don't
wolf my food down or pace myself at mealtime, I sit down to a table carefully set with china and silverware, light a candle, decorate the table with a floral arrangement and offer a prayer of thanks for the meal and then eat carefully and consciously whilst conversing to my family or occasionally friends.
Nothing else except soft music beats this in terms of inducing peace of mind and happiness in my life.
I aim to finish what I start because there is nothing that steals my peace of mind and happiness more than the thought of an unfinished something; it keeps occupying my mind and hinders me from gaining peace from a still mind.
I love nature and discovered long back that spending time in the outdoors is a remedy for almost any soul sickness and I take advantage of this natural therapy by gardening or going outdoors simply to appreciate God’s great art in nature, or by simply taking a leisurely stroll through a nearby park so as to breath in the fresh beautiful scents of nature. Stimulating the olfactory senses with nature can be a real spirit soother that smells of serenity. Talking of nature, the moon has always bailed me out of stress. During nights when I am feeling so down, longing for a loving human embrace from someone I love and who equally loves me to chase away
my stress and make me feel like a woman, I gaze out of the window at the cloudless
night and look at the moon and use my mind to picture a river of moonlight. I then
imagine loading my anxieties and concerns into a hot air balloon and letting it float away to the moon with all my stresses. This results in me feeling at peace with nature and myself. The moon looks so serene such that I have always believed that it is immune to the troubles on earth.
Last but not least I always get my daily dose of humour by finding something in my
daily life to joke and laugh about because life taught me that humor lightens the load of life and reduces anxieties.

Armed with all this wisdom that I learnt throughout the many years I have been on this earth it is so easy for me to have the aura of serenity and tranquility around me that most people comment and admire about me. Behind that serene facade that people see and admire only God knows the storms that will be raging in my life.

Like wine and cheese humans get better with age

Photo from www.fotolia.com

The other day my seven year old daughter Emma asked me how I felt
about being old. I was taken aback, for I do not think of myself as old,
am only thirty nine and look a lot younger than that. When she saw my
reaction when she said that she was immediately embarrassed, but I explained
that it was an interesting question, and I would ponder it, and let her know. 

Middle Age, I decided, is a gift. I am now, probably for the first time in my life,
the person I have always wanted to be. Oh, not my body! I sometimes
despair over my body, the not so flat tummy which has carried two children, 
the look on my face that tells a life story. And often I am taken aback by that
not so young but wise looking person with a few strands of white hair that lives
in my mirror (who looks like me), but I don't agonize over those things for long.
I would never trade the amazing friends I acquired as I got older, my wisdom,
my loving family for less gray hair or a flatter belly. As I've aged, I've become
more kind to myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend. 
I don't chide myself for eating that extra portion of sadza with meat & vegetables, 
once in a while or for spending a whole Saturday morning in my bed, or for buying
that silly painting that I didn't need, but looks so avante garde on my bedroom wall.
I am entitled to a treat, to make myself happy, to be carefree. I have seen too many 
of my dear siblings, friends and relatives leave this world too soon, before they
understood the great freedom that comes with aging. Whose business is it if I
choose to read  or write or play on the computer until 4am and sleep until noon?
I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 80's  & 90's,
and if I, at the same time, wish to smile or weep over the beautiful, meaningful
and classic tunes of those golden oldies... I will. I will walk towards the swimming
pool in a swim suit that is stretched over a tummy that stretched with two pregnancies,
and will dive into the waves with abandon if I choose to, despite the pitying glances
from the jet set. They, too, will get old. 
I know I am sometimes forgetful. But there again, some
of life is just as well forgotten. And I eventually remember the important things.
Sure, over the years my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break
when you lose a loved sibling like Elyween, Eustace & Ephraim, loved cousins
like Charleen & Samantha, a beloved mother, or when you see your father
suffering with the loneliness of missing mum, or even when an old lonely 
neighbor's beloved pet gets hit by a car? But broken hearts are what give us
strength and understanding and compassion. A heart never broken is pristine
and sterile and will never appreciate the value of love .  I am so blessed to
have lived long enough to have my broken heart mended, and to
have my youthful experiences which are forever etched into deep grooves on
my face provide me with the wisdom to make the right decisions in my present
life. As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what other
people think, I am more concerned with what makes Dumi, myself & our kids
happy. I've even earned respect , love, happiness and peace and embrace all
that into my life.
So many have never have life bring so many laughs as well as tears like what life
did to me over the years, and so many have died before they could meet their
soulmate. I thank God everyday for making me live to be the person I have
become and especially for giving me Dumi my soulmate to love and to cherish.

So, to answer Emma's question, I like being old. It has set me free. I
like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but while I am
still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying
about what will be. Yes being old is good if you look at the love mirrored in your
children's eyes as they look at you. Yes getting old is good if you have a lot of
testimonies about the grace  of  God to tell.  Yes getting old is good if you learnt 
lessons from all the issues of life you experienced and use the lessons to make
yourself a better person or to make the world the best place to live in.