Phillis Schlossberg Biography

Home »Column V. Pozner» About old age about old age, recently, I received a letter from my American acquaintance Fillis Schlossberg. However, she is more than familiar, because we met about fifteen years ago. I was friends with her husband Jack, the veteran of the Second World War. He went to fight for seventeen years, fled from poverty, from the shelters, where he was left by the alcoholic parents, fled to participate in a “good war”.

He became a fighter pilot, flew gloriously, then served in France, where he learned to understand in wines and women. He returned to New York, took advantage of the law, which gave great benefits to veterans who wanted to study, became a graduate accountant, then a lawyer. He was a typical product of New York: a slightly harsh, slightly impudent, lover of good cigars, beautiful women and in time of drunk whiskey.

But, in addition, Jack had an innate taste - he accurately and subtly felt painting and theater, read a lot and deeply. Not tall, on very thin legs, with alkalis almost always laughing blue eyes and slightly reddish hair, he painted them at the insistence of his wife, Jack Schlossberg was an unusually comfortable man. I am writing “I” because in August last year he suddenly died, leaving a hole in my heart.

But this is not the point, but in the letter that Phillis sent me. She writes: “My old friend wrote to me about her old age, and I thought: if I did? My body sometimes says: yes, old ... But the heart does not agree !!! And I would also not want to return to my young years. In my opinion, this letter very accurately sums up of life. ” Here it is, this letter: “The other day, one young creature asked me what to be old.

I was somewhat confused because I do not consider myself old. Seeing my reaction, the creature was terribly embarrassed, but I said that the question is interesting, that I would think it over and inform my conclusions.

Old age, I decided, this is a gift. Today, perhaps, for the first time in my life, I have become the person who always wanted to be. No, it's not about my body, of course! Sometimes this body causes me despair - wrinkles, bags under my eyes, spots on the skin, a sagging back. Often I am shocked by an old woman who settled in my mirror - but I do not worry long.

I would never agree to exchange my amazing friends, my wonderful life, my adored family for fewer gray hair and a flat, tightened belly. As I get old, I became kinder, less critical. I became a friend. I do not smoke myself for eating an extra cookie, for not having removed the bed, for buying this idiotic cement lizard, in which I absolutely do not need, but which gives such an avant -garde shade to my garden.

I have the right to overeat, not to remove, to be extravagant. I witnessed how many - too many - dear friends left this world too early, not yet understanding, without experiencing great freedom that old age gives. Who cares if I read before four in the morning and sleep until noon? I myself dance with myself, listening to the wonderful melodies of the fifties, and if I sometimes want to cry over the departed love, well, I will pay.

I will go along the beach in a swimsuit, which barely holds a stomach body, if I want, I will rush into the ocean wave, despite the views of young creatures, dressed shattered? They will also grow old. Sometimes I am forgetful, this is true. However, not everything in life is worthy of memorization - but I will remember the important. Of course, over the years my heart has been broken more than once.

How can you not break your heart if you have lost your loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when the car knocks your favorite dog? But broken hearts are the source of our strength, our understanding, our compassion. A heart that has never been broken, sterile and clean, it never knows the joy of imperfection. Fate blessed me, letting me live to gray hair, until the time when my young laughter was forever imprinted in deep furrows on my face.

After all, how many people never laughed, how much died before their hair could be covered with hoarfling? I can say no absolutely sincerely. I can say yes absolutely sincerely. As you are aging, everything is easier to be sincere. You take less care that others think about you. I no longer doubt myself. I even earned the right to make mistakes. So, in response to your question, I can say: I like to be old.

Old age freed me. I like the person that I became. I will not live forever, but while I am here, I will not lose time to feel about what could happen, but it did not happen, I will not worry about what could happen else. And I will eat sweet on the third every day. ” Similar article.