I went to a combination retirement and 70th birthday party this past weekend. Since I just had a 70th birthday myself, my friend suggested that I enjoy the festivities kind of like coat tailing. I think she was sorry that I did not do anything major to celebrate a big O birthday, but my response was, "Why?"
I have been thinking about that since then because the "Why?" really came from a place of denying that I could possibly be as old as 70. My father was 72 when he died. I thought at the time that was pretty old. I was thirty-five at the time. My grandparents both passed away in their early 70s. I thought that was ancient. I was a teenager then. Mike was a month short of his 70th birthday. I thought that was too soon, but I was 65 then. I thought of my own 70th birthday as a long way off even while dealing with the pain of too soon. Then my 70th came and it was . . . nothing, really.
I retired early. I think I wonder if I might have been feeling old if I just retired this year, although that certainly was not the case for my friend. I look at her and see youthful vigor and she's had knee replacements.
I was out on a scooter keeping pace with my grandson on his skateboard just after my birthday. How's that for denial? Or is it recklessness?
My weeks are filled with creative endeavors, exercise, family, socializing with circles of friends, and my spiritual practices. I have much to hold in gratitude.
I have been thinking about that since then because the "Why?" really came from a place of denying that I could possibly be as old as 70. My father was 72 when he died. I thought at the time that was pretty old. I was thirty-five at the time. My grandparents both passed away in their early 70s. I thought that was ancient. I was a teenager then. Mike was a month short of his 70th birthday. I thought that was too soon, but I was 65 then. I thought of my own 70th birthday as a long way off even while dealing with the pain of too soon. Then my 70th came and it was . . . nothing, really.
I retired early. I think I wonder if I might have been feeling old if I just retired this year, although that certainly was not the case for my friend. I look at her and see youthful vigor and she's had knee replacements.
I was out on a scooter keeping pace with my grandson on his skateboard just after my birthday. How's that for denial? Or is it recklessness?
My weeks are filled with creative endeavors, exercise, family, socializing with circles of friends, and my spiritual practices. I have much to hold in gratitude.
Keep enjoying the days. Never think about anything. People get fear as they grow old, but we need to overcome and keep going!
ReplyDeleteI am about your age and don't celebrate the big Oh birthdays in a major way; friends take me to lunch, and a family celebration. I look at it this way, I am free to make decisions like that. Enjoy yourself.
ReplyDeleteYou describe a life most people seek. Enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way. Once I passed the dreaded 30 with ease, I realized one more day doesn't make a modicum of difference.
ReplyDeleteWell, I am 72. Somehow, my lifestyle has kept me alive all these years.
ReplyDeleteI will soon be 74. I'm beginning to feel old physically, what with arthritis attacking me, but I am certainly not ready to give in.
ReplyDeleteI gave myself a big party when I turned 70. I'm not really fond of parties, but I like planning them, so I planned my own, made the food and did all the arrangements, and them had my husband and daughter act as "staff" to carry it off. It was an afternoon garden tea party for friends, and then we followed it with a family BBQ and potluck party. I made my own cake, my favorite. I loved it all.
I celebrated my 70th by going to Florida. It was a wonderful celebration, and I felt quite youthful most of time we were there. Now, I am 73, and I feel every year. :(
ReplyDeleteI suspect you don't feel old because you do keep yourself so active and involved, and your health is good. I know how dramatically my mom aged after her first stroke at 66.
ReplyDeleteI wish you many, many more years of good health and enjoyment.
Eileen