There are so many things I love about being the age I am.
I love being able to say “no” when I don’t want to do something. I love having the time to say “yes” when I do want to do something.
Sure. Everyone in my age group has aches and pains, and, for the most part, I really don’t want to hear about it. Once you allow your conversation to dig in there, it becomes a pit you can’t get out of to talk about more meaningful things — our gardens, our dogs, the sun breaks, new books, old books we read so long ago they are new again, beautiful music, hysterically funny and trite things — like how much hair spray does Donald Trump have to use.
I often hear people in my decade complaining about not only their aches and pains but also about the things they cannot do. Jeeze! Do you not remember when you couldn’t do anything you wanted to do because other people had complete control of your life? Parents, teachers, husbands, the needs of children?
So now you cannot down-hill ski? All righty then. Go sky diving. You cannot kayak the white water? Have you noticed how wonderful it is to paddle around on flat water watching a pair of eagles working on their nest?
You say you now forget things. Do you not remember studying hard for an exam and drawing a blank when you were sitting for it?
Do you not remember menstrual cramps and childbirth? Have you forgotten your first broken heart. Talk about aches and pains! Nothing hurts like that. Nothing.
You are lonely? Have you forgotten knowing for sure you were the only college freshman sitting in a dorm room who didn’t have a date on Saturday night? Now that’s lonely.
Now, how sweet is it to sit in your favorite chair with a cat on your lap and a dog at your feet, a cup of tea or a glass of wine, a book or a a remote control (that you actually get to hold yourself), maybe eating something “bad” for you because you no longer have to be setting a good example for anyone.
I prefer to live in the moment and I try never to think back on the worst days of my life, but sometimes I do, just to remind myself how good life can be.
Happy Birthday to me.
I have a very hard time remembering your birthdate. I so wish your parents had birthed you in a month that was not in the middle of “tax season”, then all your CPA friends could get their debits and credits to equal and have time to wish you happy birthday. This is the very best I can do so we just have to live with it. Happy birthday.
Thank you, my dear. My birthdays seem to come around very often these days. My best present was an early-morning phone call from Mother. How many 73-year olds are blessed with a call from their mothers?
Wise advise. And happy belated birthday! Although we might not see eye-to-eye on some things, we agree on many, and I really enjoy reading your posts.
Love, Chuck
Thank you, my dear cousin. People who see eye to eye on everything have nothing interesting to talk about. 🙂 In that regard, I would be very interested in what you have to say about Donald Trump!! xoxo to you and Linda.