WHAT HAVE I LEARNED?

By the window of my twilight years, 
watching old leaves falling to their graves, 
I thought of what I've gained and lost 
in the footsteps of the years.
Should I be happy or sad?
Should I be proud or humbled?
I can't tell but my grey self has these to say: 
I've gained from what I've lost, 
faced defeats as victories in disguise 
knowing that high tide comes after the ebb.