Sweet 16? 18 (legal age, driver’s license, voting)? 21 (full legal rights)? After that are they the ones with zeros – 30, 40, 50?
Do you or did you dread the zeros and did they turn out to be as big of a deal as you anticipated?
When I was in my teens, I thought over 30 was old.
But when I hit 30, I didn’t feel any different. In fact, I felt like I was in the prime of my life. I was still surfing skateboarding, going on two week backpacking trips, and doing crazy shit. And in my mid-30s I was having the most monumental sex of my life. It was a glorious decade!
When I hit 40, I was better than ever. That milestone didn’t bother me a bit. I got engaged later that year. I married my wife when I was 42 and began a new chapter in my life. When I was 46, we moved to Northern California. And when I was 48 we moved into our own home, the first house either of us had ever owned.
We became active in the community and made lots of new friends. I was hitting on all cylinders. I started playing music (guitar and vocals) again, and started a rock band. My wife and I also traveled and had some wonderful vacations.
I have to admit, though, that I was no longer engaging in youthful athletics. No more surfing, skateboarding or daredevil antics. Instead of backpacking, I went on hikes and camping trips.
It was the same when I turned 50. The half century mark was actually kind of cool. No negatives. My wife threw me the best birthday party ever.
Near the end of that decade, though, my job and community activities became a bit much. I retired from my job after 30 years, backed off on outside commitments and focused on music and improving my wonderful home and acreage in the country.
With a lot of weight off my shoulders, I had a fantastic time during the second half of my 50s. My wife and I went on some excellent vacations. And, having extra time to explore the internet, I made amazing on-line friends and started learning things about history, politics and current events that blew my mind. Things they don’t teach in school and that you’ll never hear about in corporate media. The entire decade was one of utmost personal growth.
60 was the first birthday that made me feel old. 60?! That milestone wasn’t one to celebrate. I still felt great and life was good, but I had to admit that I was no longer young and bitchen. Young people thought I was old. There were senior discounts and I was almost old enough for Social Security and Medicare.
I remember my perception of “Gray Hairs” when I was 25, 45 years younger. I couldn’t imagine what they were like when they were young unless I saw photos of them in their prime and heard their stories.
So here we are. Today, January 13th, is my 70th freaking birthday.
I don’t feel any differently than I did yesterday, but I’m not overjoyed to be in my 70s. The number is like a badge I’m not proud of wearing.
Looking back at my life, the whole aging thing has been interesting. Time just passed while I was having fun. I never imagined getting old.
I’m not feeling sorry for myself. My wonderful wife and I have been married now for over 26 years and I am very happy. Even though my life is very stable, and at times seems the same as it did 20 years ago, the world has changed so much. I am super grateful to have grown up when I did. Times were much better than today. I feel sorry for young people these days. They can't imagine how good people of my generation had it.
I don’t look forward to any more “zero” milestones – 80, 90 or, God forbid, 100. I don’t look forward to being that old. But I’ll take it as it comes, just as I did all my life. It's just a process and a learning experience.
Through my memories, I still feel like I’m the same age I’ve ever been – 5, 10, 16, 26, 36, 40, 50, …
I don’t really want to be decrepit. I don’t want people doating or feeling sorry for me. But I’m not there yet so, hey, party on!
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