How we used to laugh at those old Beatles lyrics way back when, feeling that the age of 64 was lightyears away. But I’m here now. Just turned 64 a few weeks ago and must say it has already caused a bit of confusion.
It started when my dear school friend sent me a New Year’s card that said what a great time was coming up, as we would be going into our 65th year. That sort of just stuck with me for a bit and I told more than a few people I would be turning 65 this year. I mean, who would have thought she would get all Zen with the notion of living through the year leading up to your birthday. She turned 64 just three weeks after me and it seems she is much more excited and preoccupied about reaching the Big 65 next year.
Aside from becoming an adult at 18, I guess the year in which I’m now living will culminate in me turning a milestone age. I’m very grateful for that! My mom’s best friend had a plaque in her entrance that read ‘Don’t complain about getting older, it’s a privilege denied to many.’ Hear, Hear!
So if the big red carpet leading to 65 is already unfurled in front of me, how should I spend it? Should I revisit an unfinished project or reverse something I’ve regretted from my past or do a series of good deeds? Hmm, I actually try to do a tiny good deed everyday and I don’t have any regrets that I could reverse – legally, anyway. And if I’ve already ditched a project, I’m not super motivated to go back and drudge it all up again.
Maybe I will challenge myself with something each month. Something modest, mind you, this isn’t really a bucket list type of thing so I won’t be jumping out of an airplane. But I’m thinking a little personal challenge throughout my 65th year would be a good way to keep limber! Sixty-five is coming for me, it seems, so I will happily stroll the yearlong lead-up. In the words of Mary Tyler Moore, ‘You’re gonna make it after all’. And hopefully someone will still feed me along the way!