Turning the Big 60
dd February 22nd, 2007
Today I am a fountain pen - oops, wrong birthday. Although, I am old enough to remember what a fountain pen is. And, I even remember ink wells in school desks. But, back on point - today I turned 60.
When I was a kid, 60 sounded ancient. It still sounds a little on the old side. But, truthfully, I sort of internally feel like I’m still in my 20’s. So, I started to think about ways in which I’ve changed over the years and ways I’ve stayed the same. Here’s what I’ve come up with so far:
Ways I’ve Changed
- I used to be more introverted. Now, I’m about smack dab in the middle.
- I used to have a bad temper, though I rarely exhibited it. Now, I’ve mellowed and I can’t recall the last time I lost my temper.
- My breakfast in my 20’s consisted of a Drake’s cake and coffee. Now, it’s usually Spelt flakes with blueberries and Teeccino, a coffee substitute.
Ways I’ve Stayed the Same
- The same dumb jokes make me laugh.
- I still like to look (please note the emphasis on look here) at attractive members of the opposite sex.
- I still love movies and folk music.
- I still hate opera.
- I’m still protesting. It used to be Vietnam. Today it was Darfur.
So, here’s a challenge for you. Name 6 to 8 ways you’ve changed or stayed the same over the last half of your life. Up to the challenge? In particular, I’d like to see what Barbara, Reya, Steve, Pauline, Mother of Invention, Kristin have to say. But, would love to see others take a crack at this too.
Okay, David, I’ll rise to the challenge! (It will probably be up on Sunday sometime)
You’ve given us a good example and we share mant similarites and some differences.
I used a fountain pen too and I had horribly messy writng! There was so much ink on those darn blotters, pyschologists could have used them for those Rorschach Ink Blot Tests!!
Happy Birthday!
This is an interesting exercise and since it’s my birthday on Monday, maybe I’ll try it out.
I’m going to have to think about this. I will definitely post something soon.
This is a good one and We can take it beyond just “I never had to pay for Air and Water before”! Happy B-Day, its my daughters tomorrowas well!
You forgot to mention that you’re still good in bed — perhaps better than ever. Oops, I forgot this is not an X-rated blog. Seriously, I’ll give this some thought and give you my samenesses and differences soon. Hope we agree…
Ruth - yeah, sure glad someone invented ball point pens.
Jamy - Happy birthday to another Pisces
Steve - Happy birthday to your daughter and yet another Pisces. What are the odds?
Barbara - down, girl!
Kristin and eveyone - look forward to your lists
cool - I will think about it and post my list one day next week. I have a year on you, so it may take me longer to come up with mine
I’ve been thinking hard on this one. I’m almost exactly the same as I’ve ever been. The ways I’ve changed - used to be sick all the time, now I’m really healthy, used to cry all the time, now I hardly ever cry, etc. - all those changes pivot around the moment when I finally left my nuclear family, began living on my own and having time to myself. Growing up I was never alone and was therefore miserable.
I’ve never lived with too many people ever since. But I’m still “little Becky” in every other way. I still draw pictures, write, read, walk, think about stuff, worship - just like I always did. How boring is that??
What an interesting question! Thanks, David.
Reya - How great that all the changes you describe are positive ones. We don’t want to change the good stuff.
Okay, my post is up! I have 11 ways I’m still the same and 8 ways I’ve changed. HMMMM! (Not sure what that says! (Can’t figure out why the link to you won’t work! Sorry!)
Thanks, David…it’s fixed now! Am going to leave you two a reply now.
[…] trying to fight this atrocity against humanity by being part of the Darfur Interfaith Network and helping to organize a monthly vigil in front of the Sudanese embassy. On Sunday, a friend and I went to hear Nicholas Kristof, NY Times […]