When I Grow Old, I Will

Inspired by this poem: 

When I Am Old.

When I am an old woman I shall wear purple With a red hat that doesn't go, and doesn't suit me, And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves And satin sandals, and say we've no money for butter. I shall sit down on the pavement when I am tired, And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells, And run my stick along the public railings, And make up for the sobriety of my youth. I shall go out in my slippers in the rain And pick the flowers in other people's gardens, And learn to spit. You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat, And eat three pounds of sausages at a go, Or only bread and pickle for a week, And hoard pens and pencils and beer mats and things in boxes. But now we must have clothes that keep us dry, And pay our rent and not swear in the street, And set a good example for the children. We will have friends to dinner and read the papers. But maybe I ought to practise a little now? So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised, When suddenly I am old and start to wear purple!  Jenny Joseph What will I do when I am old?  Well to many I already am old, old enough to qualify for programs and services under the Older Americans Act.  Not old enough for a transit discount, or a guarantee of core health insurance.   As I get older I will: Speak my mind more freely, Dress comfortably, and wear running shoes with my best suit.  Defend others,  Continue to Vote  Read for pleasure in the middle of the day  Enjoy music, playing it louder as my hearing continues to fade Remind young people that life is short, and "you only get one shot, one opportunity" Ignore my Doctors' advice, when they are trying to keep me alive forever. Death is not failure, it is the natural end of this adventure.  Do what I want, not what is best for me  Sit on a bench and observe the world going by Travel when I can Stay in nicer hotels, upgrade to the suite life once in a while.  Take naps when I am tired  What will you do, when you are older?