Here we are at the start of a brand new, spanking fresh year. Don’t you love it? All the possibility right there in front of you. Every year I get a surge of excitement and inspiration at this time. View Post

when I’m sixty-four? Which happens today – my sixty-fourth birthday.

Can I just ask — how the heck did that happen?! Don’t get me wrong, I’m really happy to be here to celebrate another birthday. It’s just that it’s kinda hard to accept the number. And I know that it’s just a number, but geez. How did it get so high so fast?

I’m sure you remember the Beatles’ song “When I’m Sixty Four.” Here’s a bit of the lyrics, just for fun.

When I get older losing my hair
Many years from now
Will you still be sending me a valentine
Birthday greetings, bottle of wine?
If I’d been out till quarter to three
Would you lock the door?
Will you still need me, will you still feed me
When I’m sixty-four?

I remember singing along to this song when I was probably 13 or 14 thinking that at 64 I’d probably be sitting in a rocking chair on the front porch watching life go by.

Well, hello, no rocking chair here. At 64, I’m feeling good, feeling sassy.

Since my birthday is at the almost-end of each year, I’ve always had a bit of a personal tradition of looking back at the current year and taking stock. What kind of year was it? What lessons presented themselves to me and how did I handle them? Where and who am I now at this new age? What should I try to improve or change about myself?

I’m taking stock, not because I’m concerned about checking off a list of goals and achievements, but more so because I want to take the time to recognize and absorb and enjoy and celebrate and honor as many moments and experiences of the current year of my life as I can remember.

Isn’t it good news that as we add years to our lives, we can also choose to add more life to those years? For example, what a relief it is to not worry about those pesky 5 or 10 pounds anymore. Good grief, if I could take back the days and months and years that I worried about such things, I’d probably be about 14.

Here’s another one – all the striving and eggshell-walking that we’ve done to “succeed” in life – good riddance. My feet can’t take it anymore.

And lastly, what about those life-sucking relationships that you can kick to the curb now? So long! No time for you anymore.

Remember, I said I was feeling sassy at 64. This is me, taking stock.

Anyway, at this age, when the path in front of me is shorter than what’s behind me, I’m obsessed with making sure that I eat up every bit of life and love in it.

I know a lot of people – especially those of us in this “aging” category – will often say that birthdays are just another day. Nothing special. No big deal.

Sound familiar?

Well excuse me but I think a birthday is a very big deal – especially as we count higher.

If nothing else, it’s a great time to be thankful for the year just passed and for each new day ahead. It’s also a good time to give yourself a little love. Make it a “be kind to me no matter what I do or what happens” kind of day.

So happy birthday to me and to everyone else sharing the day with me. Thanks Mom and Dad for bringing me along, and for my husband, siblings, family members, friends, and pets who make my every day a little brighter, a little happier, and more love-filled than anyone could ever hope for.

Off I go with a certain Beatles’ tune in my head, a Christmas tree to trim, and a brand new day to enjoy being 64.

Till next time,

Judy

Even though Thanksgiving was yesterday, giving thanks is a daily exercise for me. I am continuously amazed at my life. I don’t mean that to sound righteous or privileged, but growing up as I did, I could never have imagined a life like this – peaceful, secure, happy. View Post