Thoughts on getting old(er)

I'm at a point in my life when years seem like months - months seem like weeks - weeks seem like days - days seem like hours - and hours can often seem like seconds.

Father time can often play cruel tricks on your mind when you think "that really happened 9 years ago...it seemed just like yesterday."

I was never one of those guys that had 'benchmark changes' in my life - like those turning 30, 40, 50, 60 thoughts that those birthdays bring to people often.

I do, however, seem to be having flashback memories to certain points in my life more often than usual lately.

As such, as I 'mature' (I hate the term age...it's something physically out of your control but very much IN your control how old you 'act') I wonder about the aging process and the benefits of my current situation.


As I scoot towards my 'seventies' I'm as playful as when I was in my second and third decades...and I intend to stay that way forever!

In age I now see 'beauty' - eyes that reflect experience and history.

I see 'respect' for people who have lived many many years often under difficult situations.

I see 'love' as they're the ones who actually have time to stop and smell the roses - they're the ones who don't care that their hair looks like or that their way of dress is less than perfect - they're the ones who still hold doors open for women and 'older' people or give up their seat on the bus even though their fragile legs aren't what they used to be themselves.

I now smile and say hi to babies...in fact every baby that comes anywhere near me.

I hope I'm not scaring the Mothers because this used to be very normal in my lifetime.

There's nothing more beautiful to me than getting that return little precious smile as the Pumpkin grabs hold of Mom's leg knowing he/she isn't supposed to acknowledge strangers.

At my age I am so happy that I can say things without anybody firing me now - and I feel so sorry for people that I know that are so trapped in jobs, careers or even relationships that they publicly state 'they hate.'

At my age I'm really missing several of my good friends that passed away 'way too soon' - and especially for their living parents, or children, who never got to spend as much time as I do with my extended family.

Through health problems or tragic suicide I have lost several people who passed away 'way too soon' and "if I had only known" there was a time clock on each and every one of us for our time on earth I would have spent way more time with these beautiful people or offered 'whatever help they needed' at the time.

As I dream each night 'reflection' means so much more to me now as some of those precious memories from my past simply fade away and I start to wonder 'what if' in my thoughts.

What if my Mom and Dad didn't divorce in 1961? - I wonder what this years Family reunion would feel like with them spending time with my brothers and sister; my children; and our wives.

My kids never got to meet my Dad - but get to hear his voice on CHED every Christmas when they play the Santas Anonymous "Creature" - and they love love love both of their Grandmothers - and I'd love THEM to hear from my parents about THEIR lives so they get to know them better and especially that all too important family tree that I know so little about.

As I get older I like spending more time with Gen "C" too (connected) and I love to listen to their opinions and thoughts on the world. These kids keep ME young - keep ME in touch - and help push me to continue to learn so that I don't turn into one of those old boring people who stop growing and learning as they age.

And I feel sad that most of us often 'don't' listen to these kids or dismiss their ideas as 'dumb'....because they ARE our future and when they question WHY we do things often they are very correct in their observations!

I like to apologize to them for the things MY generation are responsible for that affect their lives.

We made up a) too many rules b) have too many traffic lights c) make really crappy products d) have too many chain stores e) are way too greedy f) don't share enough g) really screwed up the environment h) work way too hard/long, i) fought too many wars; j) hold too much hate for others simply being 'different' from us; oh I could go on and on and on....And...

....Yes I acknowledge the fact that we did a bunch of really good things in our lives too but in the OVER/UNDER on good vs bad I think you know where I sit.

Finally as I grow old I never take it for granted how 'lucky' I have been in my life.

I have so much to be proud about - and so happy with my accomplishments in the time I have spent on this earth.

Mostly...

I'm glad I learned from mistakes.

I'm glad I took chances because that's where the risk/reward thing really benefits people who do great things.

I'm glad I have my children - for they are 'everything in the world to me'

I'm glad I was born into a family who defines craziness - each of us in a very different manner but we laugh long and often for which I am so very grateful for when you see other families and people.

I am so extremly proud of my brothers; my kids; and my wife that it is hard to describe. They are all talented and beautiful caring people!

I'm glad I got to travel as much as I did - and I have every intention of continuing because it makes up for me not paying attention to teachers in school.

There is nothing more amazing than touching the Eiffel Tower - starring at the Mona Lisa - talking to a guy in Prague about Communism in his life - standing on a mountain in the Swiss Alps - strolling through the Tower of London - touring through the Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbour - or even just having a pensive moment with a cigar in the middle of the majestic Rocky Mountains between Banff and Jasper.

Yes I guess that's what aging is really all about.

Stopping down for a few moments to smell the roses - to enjoy your life and accomplishments - and to truly reflect how lucky you are to be alive in this crazy world.

As I'm now 61 years old I guess this is what a 'mid life crisis' is all about then eh?

I wonder how I'll feel on my hundredth birthday!

I'll be sure to let you know!