I am not the lines around my eyes,

I am not the pain that is my constant companion,

I am not the age spots that dot my skin,

I am not the white hair that threatens to cover my head,

I am not defined by any of these,

yet they are all part of me.

I am the joy that fills my heart,

the love that overwhelms me,

the beauty of nature around me,

the music that fills my soul,

I am all of these,  yet none of them exactly…