On Being 60

The blessing I get from penning this blog comes from artists who let me know it helps improve their knowledge, and sometimes provides inspiration and steers them to wise informed career choices.

The mission for this blog is not to be about me. However, since this post comes on the occasion of my 60th birthday this week, I'm using it to muse on being 60 and offer witticisms such as, "Any day I wake on the right side of the dirt is a good day".

Not too old to rock n' roll

All in all, for one a decade past AARP age requirements, I feel pretty good and happy. I have not joined AARP as I am far from retired and look upon most of what the organization offers as self-serving marketing hype. But then I'm a cynic who doesn't need 10% discounts at Denny's or Best Western. On being 60, I may not be quite as happy to enjoy a birthday as little Eli pictured here on his first, but I'm darn close and pleased to report only one of us is wearing diapers and it ain't me.

0 - 60 in the blink of an eye

Becoming 60 is much like life in that it sneaks up on you and has you wondering just how one got there there so fast. Or, in my case and more pointedly, how I got there at all. Looking back, in my younger days I tempted fate more than I should have and I am grateful to more fully grasp the saying, "There but for fortune go I."

Now, being older and wiser, I'm thrilled to have ridden our earthly sphere 60 turns around the sun, and looking forward to many more. It's humbling to know my life has been lived in relative ease. Whatever quirk of fate blessed me to come forth under favorable circumstances is nothing short of astonishing. Sure, I could have taller, better looking, smarter, funnier with an abundance of wealth and unlimited talent. But in comparison to suffering from poor health or abject poverty anywhere, being a desperate parentless HIV positive child in Africa, or an average citizen of Baghdad praying for an end to violence, I have no complaints.

Sometimers is not age specific

When I couldn't recall something the other day, I remarked to a young clerk in a store waiting on me despite my gray hair I was not suffering from "Oldtimers." She told me I just had "Sometimers." I asked what that was and she said, "You know, it's like sometimes you just can't remember shit." Sounded good to me... now if my car keys just turn up sometime soon.;>)

My best friend and dear sweet wife, Mary, gave me a lively fun puppy named Maggie Mae for my birthday. It's hard to imagine a better present, but the Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream cake from Baskin-Robbins was a close second. The best gift anyone who enjoys reading this blog could give me is to let others know about it. When you are so moved, please tell the world about it, or at least your friends and acquaintances. I will be forever grateful when you do.