Yes, it happened. I can’t believe it. A very frightening thing happened to me just a few days ago. I had a birthday. And no, not just any birthday, but that one that rejects any rationalizations. I am getting old.
Once, when I asked my father if it was awful to get old (he never did get old) he told me that it beats the alternative. I agree.
But how did this happen?
How can it be that I still am 30-something inside and, well, this old?
On the one hand, it seems that there is no logical escape from the conclusion. On the other, here are a few of the things that I didn’t think I would be doing when I got old:
Having what? 27? 28? 30? grandchildren*
Picking fruit off trees in my garden, in ISRAEL!
Seeing giant tortoises and magnificent frigates and blue-footed boobies in the Galapagos
Zip-lining over cloud forest in Ecuador
Visiting Machu Picchu
Taking another group of people to China
Writing a blog
So yes, the number did change, but a number is only a number. Life is more fun every single year. I am blessed.
And yes, it’s much better than the alternative.
*Depends on how you count
Well, Rona, you and your life are amazing.I once wrote a feature for my newspaper about elderly folks ballroom dancing at a local ballroom.
An 82 year old man, Joe O'Brien said to me...as he was about to waltz his ladyfriend away...."You know, Susan...People think we're over the hill...but we're not. We've just reached the peak. And from the top of the mountain, you can see both the sunrise AND the sunset."
So I say, you are at the top of the mountain Rona. It's lovely here.
And see, I keep looking at y’all & thinking – OK, so I’ve got at least 30 good years left…
Mazal tov!
Well, I can tell you what I used to tell my grandmother when she was in her traveling around the world, traipsing around New York City, jetsetting to other states just to visit friends, volunteering and dolling herself up to “lunch with the ladies”:
I hope, when I am as old as you – however old that is 😉 – that I am as young as you.
Of course, this is best said with a dramatic pause after the “old as you” part. The raised eyebrows and held breath are sooo worth it!
Happy Birthday!
Happy birthday Dr. S. I love reading of your adventures from way over here in Oklahoma.
Happy Birthday from all of L.A.-USA family.
You will always be young at heart.
Well, Rona, you and your life are amazing.I once wrote a feature for my newspaper about elderly folks ballroom dancing at a local ballroom.An 82 year old man, Joe O’Brien said to me…as he was about to waltz his ladyfriend away….”You know, Susan…People think we’re over the hill…but we’re not. We’ve just reached the peak. And from the top of the mountain, you can see both the sunrise AND the sunset.”
+1
We’ve been there together my friend. I too reached that magical age last April. We are blessed to be alive and have so much nahat from our children. May we go from strength to strength!!