In less than 20 days... well to be exact on November 25th I'll be 67!
Yikes! Isn’t that when you’re REALLY OLD AND IT'S GETTING WORSE?
I looked in the mirror and I didn’t see an old lady, so maybe it’s a myth.
I definitely didn’t see a young person though either.
Recently I had lunch with an acquaintance and he asked me if I will feel 67. I said, “yes and no”.
The “yes’ part is that life experience teaches us quite a lot. I’m very happy about that. I have more confidence as a 67 year old human being than I ever could have had as a young person.
There can be no substitute for decades of dealing with and solving problems, of survival through hard things, of seeing our own progress in striving to get better at something.
When we can make it through all that, we are “seasoned”.
I rather like being seasoned. It certainly feels a lot better than being anxious, fearful that I won’t make it, unsure of my skills, or pressured to climb whatever ladder is before me. I’ll take seasoned any day.
The “no” part is that my image of 67 from the distortion of youth’s prism was that feeling 67 would be about feeling old.
About slowing down or being less interested in having fun and adventure.
Well I know that’s not true! I’m happy to report that I’m having more fun than ever at this point.
I work because I want to work, doing things I feel satisfied doing. I am using all those years of experience in college and in life practice.
I can even fix a toaster, wire you a light, paint your porch, remodel your home, and even bake a cake or a fantastic meal!
I am one of the lucky ones in that for the most part I am in good health at 67 according to my Doctor in my last appointment...
A little issue of blood clots but the meds are working for that.
I am grateful every day for all that I have.
One thing a person that loves to focus on solving problems and learning something every day can learn from working a multitudes jobs and clients, is to appreciate all we have in our body and mind that works.
Once we reach 67 we may spend a lot of days facing folks with body parts or minds that don’t work.
You get perspective that way.
If a spouse, family or friends dies suddenly. You get perspective that way, too.
If I can take a walk on a beautiful day, it’s a gift. I am happy with my body parts that works fine.
I just celebrate being able to do it at all with what I have to work with.
And... I do celebrate especially with carrot cake or coconut pie involved!😂
I am among the millions of Boomers who have recently reached this milestone or who will do so soon.
I also think it’s a time to celebrate a lot of things.
I think about the political power we have as a group.
I think about how we have changed society and will continue to do so, just because there are so many of us.
I think about how we, as a generation are changing the concept of aging.
I love it & if you are with us Boomers, celebrate with me. Raise a glass to a different and evolving idea of aging. Toast to the beauty of experience and being wiser than we were at 20.
Find your joy in showing the younger generation that we know how to live these years in a meaningful way.
We already changed the world when we were young. Now we can change it again as we get into the next phase of our seasoned lives.
We can share life’s lessons with others. We can set an example of being responsible. We understand that we must savor the moment.
We can have a wonderful time appreciating what we are and all we have. Let the beauty of this time of life shine on.
It A Good Day In The Neighborhood Folks!
Nana
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