Passing 80: Conversation with Self

June 23 , 2017 /

Passing 80: Conversation with Self

That’s how fast you drive on the Interstates in the West? Yes, but that’s not what I’m thinking about and I promise to keep it brief. OK, go.

You celebrate your 80th birthday tomorrow and start your 81st year. What do you think about that? What do you make of that?

I feel enormous gratitude for having come this far and as healthy as I am. Sometimes people say, you don’t seem like 80. I say, I’m sorry I have never been this age before so I don’t know what it’s supposed to look like.

You just keep on ticking like your Timex Expedition or the Engergizer Bunny. Well, sure, I didn’t know I would be here and make it this far but I’m very glad to be here, thank you very much.

Remember when you passed 70 you decided to write down a few watershed experiences that covered your past seven decades? What about the past decade? What did you make of that?

Ah well, it was a great time of transition, away from working full time with more time to travel, read, write, walk, contemplate, celebrate, fish a little and travel some more.

And that was sufficient?

You know I take the position of being content but never being satisfied. I believe there’s more to discover, more to do, more to enjoy. Really?  Yes, really, and while we can never be sure it seems good to lay out some plans and choices for the months ahead.

Well, la di da! So, what are you planning? We’ll be “at home” this summer in Santa Fe, some family times here and elsewhere, a wedding in September and then head off to Mexico for several months. I’ll have time, the greatest gift of all, to celebrate each day, rich with opportunities and choices to make of them what I will. Stay tuned and I’ll let you know what develops.

Anything you know for sure? Yes, I have been richly blessed with a great family, a fantastic partner in life, and meaningful work. All in all, you sound like a pretty happy guy. Yeah, you can say that. Keep going, man, you’re doing great. Happy Birthday!

Comments (6)

  1. Hi Gary,

    Happy 80th birthday! My dad turned 70 on the 23rd; spry as can be, doing martial arts, pounding that heavy bag, enjoying life. As a 42 year old whipper snapper I have never felt more present, calm and energized too. Thanks for sharing 🙂

    Ryan

    1. Thanks, Ryan. Age just a number and as some wag said, age is mind over matter. if you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter. Beyond that it is all about enjoying who you are and what you’re doing and you seem to have captured that fairly well. Keep up your good work and I will look forward to your travels and blogging. We will be off to MX in Oct for about 7.5 months and I will do a few posts from there along the way. Could even be a title, “Along the Way” Cheers…..Gary

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