November 27, 2020, Plano-
Ten years ago, I was saying goodbye-and in many ways, good riddance, to my Fifties-seemingly a time when I was largely all thumbs, but a time when I extended every ounce of caring and compassion towards keeping a dying woman, the love of my life, alive-until the day she was ready to transition to the Spiritual Realm.
The next day, I became the first of my parents’ children to reach the age of sixty, celebrating that evening, with two pizzas delivered by the nearby Papa John’s, and shared with Aram and four of his friends. Penny was not eating much, by then. A week later, my wife, son and I would be joined by my two brothers and a sister-in-law, more fully marking my 60th, at a fine dining establishment, in downtown Phoenix.
Durant’s is still in business, my three living siblings have each reached the age of sixty, Penny has been one of my Spirit Guides for nearly ten years, and Aram has grown into a level-headed, more focused man, with a wife of his own, and a promising future.
What of me, as the start of my eighth decade of earthly life beckons, in a few short hours? How have I spent this decade? I have faced the demons which taunted me, most of my life. I have learned to focus on my work, in a way that I seldom did while I was struggling as a caretaker. I have taken initiatives in serving my Faith, in ways that my younger, more confused self found daunting. I have traveled some, both domestically and internationally, facing my own foibles and overcoming several of them. I have reached out to more people, in more authentic ways, than I ever did as an awkward, introverted soul.
I have learned to embrace growth. When I wake up tomorrow, it will not feel “terribly strange to be seventy”. There are many miles left ahead.
Aging give a new perspective on life – what is important, what matters and what is not worth the worry. Happy Birthday! Hope there are many more!!
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It is indeed becoming clearer what matters and what doesn’t. I make short and long-term plans, and with continued good health, living to the age of 100 is not inconceivable. That said, one day at a time remains in force.
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Happy Birthday, Gary! What an interesting way to celebrate with your post, and in entering a whole new decade for you. Praise God for seeing you through 70 years of life, and for blessing you with more. Hope you have blessed days! God loves you!
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Indeed He does! Thanks so much for your greetings, friend Gail!
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🙂 ❤ Hope you had a blessed Thanksgiving, Gary!
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It was a Blessed Thanksgiving. I hope yours was the same.
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I’ve got you beat by a few years, Gary, and believe changes in life are to be expected whether or not in our favor. As long as my perspectives are commonsensical, that’s what matters. Happy Birthday.
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Some things will certainly go in my favour and some not. I, too, seek a sensible perspective.
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