As I near the end of my 60th year, I have a few reflections on turning 60.
I'm thankful to have reached this age. My mother died when she was 43 (I was 14). As kids, my sisters and I learned quickly the lesson that growing old is not one of life's guarantees . I'm thankful that I got to see our children grow into adults, and I am proud of the adults that they've become: intelligent, active, good people; and I enjoy being with them. I'm thankful that I'm getting to be a part of lives of my grandchildren and look forward to that continuing and expanding. These are things that my mother was never able to experience.
I can no longer deny to myself that my body is wearing out. Like driving a car for a long time, at some point you have to admit that the steering is loose or the brakes are getting soft. Physically, the outward signs of my age can't be missed. The graying hair, the expanding, soft waist line, the loss of muscle tone. But it's the less obvious signs that I can no longer deny. My hearing is not very good any more. My balance has diminished. My joints and muscles are losing their flexibility and grace.
The picture with this blog is of a tree that was on the beach near the house we rented in Roatan last Christmas. I was struck by the old trunk of the tree that had a fresh, green top. It symbolized for me that in spite of the aging of my body that I can still be productive and fresh in my life. By continuing to read, to write, to listen to new music, to travel, to have connections with friends, to learn, to be willing to take risks: I can strive to be young, though my body won't be. "I want to die young, as old as I can!"
Age does give me a different realization about the choices I have in my life. I worry less about the things that I have little control, little choice about. But I do have choices about how I live my life and how I treat those that I meet along the way. I hope the choices I make will enrich my life and enrich the lives of those I meet.
I have regrets about my past. But I would have no desire to go back and be "20", or "40" again. I look forward to life's adventures and the part of my life after 60. I've been 20 and 40, but I've never been 60! I can't wait.
