You're just like your father/mother can be the highest compliment or it can be the most hurtful words you can say. When Mom used to say I was just like my Dad, she meant I was impulsive, that I spoke too quickly and didn't think through my actions. These words were spoken when I was a teenager mostly, but in later years after Daddy had passed, the same words would be the highest complement. She meant that I was a free spirit who spoke my mind and moved quickly to get the job at hand done. Funny how a few years made such a difference in our relationship. I would say as a teen Mom and I butted heads much more than my Dad and I. She was the disciplinarian in our family, Dad was M.I.A. In later years it was Daddy and I who disagreed. He never got over the fact that I grew to be a Republican! Really! Politics were discussed freely in our family, most often at the dinner table. Probably not the best conversation to help digestion!
We are a typical family with shortcomings and issues that sometimes stir emotions. We all have strong wills and stronger opinions. I think with each passing year, I'm growing in different directions. I see life so much clearer now that I'm nearing 60. The things that are important to me now weren't even on my list when I was twentysomething. I didn't have a clue then how strong I was or what life was going to throw at me. Curve balls sometimes, blind pitches, I slid into home many times by the skin on my teeth.
Next week I'll be 59. Can't help but think of George Carlin's old routine...
"Do you realize that the only time in our lives when we like to get old is when we're kids? If you're less than 10 years old, you're so excited
about aging that you think in fractions. "How old are you?" "I'm four and a half!"
about aging that you think in fractions. "How old are you?" "I'm four and a half!"
You're never thirty-six and a half. You're four and a half, going on
five! That's the key. You get into your teens, now they can't hold you back. You jump to the next number, or even a few ahead. "How old are you?" "I'm gonna be 16!" You could be 13, but hey, you're gonna be 16!
five! That's the key. You get into your teens, now they can't hold you back. You jump to the next number, or even a few ahead. "How old are you?" "I'm gonna be 16!" You could be 13, but hey, you're gonna be 16!
And then the greatest day of your life . . . you become 21. Even the
words sound like a ceremony . . . YOU BECOME 21. . . YES!!!
words sound like a ceremony . . . YOU BECOME 21. . . YES!!!
But then you turn 30. Oooohh, what happened there? Makes you sound like bad milk. He TURNED, we had to throw him out. There's no fun now, you're just a sour-dumpling. What's wrong? What's changed?
You BECOME 21, you TURN 30, then you're PUSHING 40.
Whoa! Put on the brakes, it's all slipping away. Before you know it, you REACH 50 . . . and your dreams are gone.
But wait!!! You MAKE it to 60. You didn't think you would!
So you BECOME 21, TURN 30, PUSH 40, REACH 50 and MAKE it to 60.
You've built up so much speed that you HIT 70! After that it's a
day-by-day thing; you HIT Wednesday! You get into your 80s and every day is a complete cycle; you HIT lunch; you TURN 4:30; you REACH bedtime.
day-by-day thing; you HIT Wednesday! You get into your 80s and every day is a complete cycle; you HIT lunch; you TURN 4:30; you REACH bedtime.
And it doesn't end there. Into the 90s, you start going backwards; "I was JUST 92." Then a strange thing happens. If you make it over 100, you become a little kid again. "I'm 100 and a half!"
May you all make it to a healthy 100 and a half!!"
Great post Joyce, and so true. Are we ever satisfied or content with where we are in our lives? I will be 56 in October and I thank God daily for living as long as I have. So many sad and early deaths all around. My mother , altho her days are now numbered, has reached the 90 mark,my grandmother lived to be 95. I am really hoping if in decent health I will have their genes. I love life and try to live it to the fullest every day. Darbee Rae my granddaughter says all the time... I am almost 4 years old and it won't be long and I'll be eight! If she only knew these are the best years of her life.
ReplyDeleteHave a blessed day.
Happy early Birthday Joyce...not that I'm rushing it. I'm right behind you! I always tell myself I'm a year older and when it comes it doesn't seem so bad because I say..oh wait I'm only....does that make sense?...lol...
ReplyDeleteMe too, I often think I'm just so lucky to have good genes and the number of years don't really get me down. I love where I am right now, life is good even with the problems we face. Attitude is everything...
ReplyDeleteCarlin was hilarious. I got to see him once. That is all so true.
ReplyDeleteMy mother and I butted heads. She and her mother butted heads. My daughter and I butted heads, too. I think it is a mother and daughter thing. Funny thing is...I started out as a Republican...kind of born and raised that way...here in Indiana and my Republican family...but my daughter helped me to see the light and now I am Democrat! Funny how that worked out.
xo, Cheryl
The other day we were eating at a restaurant when I saw a sign that said all those 60 and over could get a $1.00 off any entree after 3pm. We had arrived at the restaurant about 3:40. I commented (jokingly) that we should have waited 20 minutes and he could have saved $1 on my dinner. He said, "You know - I don't think of you as being 60." What a nice compliment. It made my day.
ReplyDeleteI feel old and moldy.
ReplyDeleteI'll stick with 63 looking forward to 64 just as the Beetles Snag about!...:)JP
ReplyDeleteMercy, I have hit 70 and beyond. Do believe the rest of you girls are still spring chicks. Enjoy it while you can! I do not feel 70, but the old mirror says it is so!
ReplyDeleteMaybe we should all just throw away our mirrors.
Joycee, absolutely fantastic! I guess I am 54 and a half because I still feel like a little kid, but you are right with so many more curve balls (baseball is not all that great huh?) I have a neighbor who will be 93 in September. We threw a big open house for him at 90 and we will have to do it again this year. He still lives at home and has no help. His wife is 88 and she is fabulous too (even younger seeming than he is). Now that is the way to age. I asked him what his secret was and he got a huge smile on his face and said, "Chocolate covered almonds, chocolate covered raisins and M&M's!" She then told me she has to hide them from him. Yes, indeed, I want to be like him when I am 93 and 3/4ths.
ReplyDeleteWell, I am getting ready to hit 72 this September!
ReplyDeleteI believe that I am more at peace with my life than ever before. There is something about having the family all raised and doing well and just having the two of us to worry about.....that sounds selfish doesn't it!