By Staff
Two weeks in succession I began my column with, "Am I old, or what?" The truth be known, I'm NOT old. Old is a state of mind; therefore, I'm only 29! Yet, the slowing down of systems and recurring aches and pains remind me that I'm not only 29 years old but another 29 and a few more.
Last Friday we celebrated a "landmark" birthday for a person in our home. The LAST thing I'd say about her is, "She's old." First of all, she's not. Second, if I said that, I'd be flat on my back and unable to rise to a vertical position unaided.
Seriously, age is, indeed, a state of mind. When I finally reached a landmark birthday almost two years ago, my lovely spouse decided to celebrate that event for six months. We laughed and partied and partied and laughed. I plan to honor her with the same schedule.
The current celebration began the evening of her birthday with dinner at Zeke's. Having the company of a 10- and 4-year old, we decided to celebrate "family style" – dinner and a FREE birthday cake presented by several servers chanting the birthday mantra. It was great.
Prior to that, her staff at the college gave her a birthday bash complete with food, cards and gifts two days before her "day."
They started it all, and the beat goes on – for six more months.
While this birthday observance continues, I pause to contemplate aging.
Once again, thanks to the Internet, a friend sent appropriate reflections on this subject. I selected a few to pass on to you.
By the way, none of these begins with "You know you're getting old when . . . "
-"Aging: Eventually you will reach a point when you stop lying about your age and start bragging about it."
-"When you are dissatisfied and would like to go back to your youth, think of algebra."
-"You know you are getting old when everything either dries up or leaks."
-"An older gentleman was on the operating table awaiting surgery and he insisted that his son, a renowned surgeon, perform the operation. As he was about to get the anesthesia he asked to speak to his son.
'Yes, Dad, what is it?'
'Don't be nervous, son; do your best and just remember, if it doesn't go well, if something happens to me, your mother is going to come and live with you and your wife.'"
-"The older we get, the fewer things seem worth waiting in line for."
-"One of the many things no one tells you about aging is that it is such a nice change from being young."
I often hear people moan, "Oh, to be young again!" Not I. I like being where I am, and most importantly, I like being who I am. Being where I am and who I am is greatly enhanced by being with my wife, the "birthday girl."
We've walked thousands of miles together, cried buckets of tears together, laughed hundreds of thousands of belly laughs together, argued a bit, sighed a lot, worried about some things and always loved each other. And the older I get, the more I love her.
So, my dear, one last thought about aging – "Ah, being young is beautiful, but being old is comfortable."
We're not really old; you're still beautiful – more beautiful than ever. And you make life very comfortable for me, for our children and grandchildren.
Happy birthday!