"With a Conscience" - "When I'm 65..."

 

        March 2, 1961, 12:29 a.m.,  I was newly born and immediately put into an incubator because I was cosidered premature, five pounds...That's it. I was born slightly under two weeks earlier than expected.  I wanted to get out of the womb and experience the light of the world ahead.  Sorry Ma. I needed to get out into the world that was ahead of me.  Impatient, yet brave I know. 

        On Monday, I reach what many consider a milestone.  I will be 65 years old and I find that daunting.  Becoming a "senior" was never something I ever gave much credence to until...well, I reached my 60's.  That's when things started to happen.  Circumstances that I was not prepared for but none the less, I had to face these circumstances and put up a brave front.  I hate that.  I hate being "brave."  It is exhausting.  Regardless, 65 looms in 48 hours and I can still do the following:

•  I can still appreciate a sunrise and a sunset. 
• I get up and work out at my gym, aches and pains yes, but by the time I am through, I am a much better human being.  I can move and groove and get in and out of the car! I can drive to Shop Rite and not have to use a cart that drives you around the store.  
• I have issues with  my hearing but it is not severe but it sucks...Hearing is essential to our relationshops wth just about everyone. Trust me...if your hearing is not impaired you do not have any patience for those who do have the impairment.  Trust me.  The hearing aid business is a rackett too.  
• When we think of the age of 65, we should recognize that not everyone reaches their 60's sadly.  Age is a privilege, not a right.  As we age there are rewards that we were not even aware of growing up.  Now, now, I see that light and I am grateful.

    I want to be one of those individuals who never stops.  This does not mean I don't get tired. I do.  I get exhausted but when I get up in the morning, the gratitude sinks in, I have my coffee and go to the gym.  I have stopped making excuses for other people's bad behavior.  I have stopped blaming myself every time a situation gets uncomfortable.  I still take risks.  Maybe not as much as I used to but I still take risks grow stronger emotionally.  That is the beauty of age.

        We cannot predict our end.  Turning 65, brings us to that reality.  But the one thing that I didn't expect was the courage we gain.  We get braver than we have ever been because  well...'What have we got to lose?"   There are more doctor's appointments at 65, more bloodwork, MRIs, Catscans, blah, blah, blah.  These ordeals are part wanting to live longer.  The more we know, the braver we get...COURAGE.

        Turning 65 will proably occur quietly without fanfare.  I believe it's meant to be that way because we so much more to do.  We have so much more to see.  Age is just a number but the number brings us more wisdom, more courage and more strength.  Now...how wonderful is that???