Ok… I’ll admit it. This year has been agony for me. From my birthday last year until a few weeks ago, the twinges of another milestone birthday were gnawing at me. But just as the big day was drawing near, I started thinking about the good parts of the age I’m at. So here goes….
1. I remember the very beginning of TV. A little roundish box with squiggly lines, but so much fun to watch. I thought June Cleaver, Spanky, and all were really black and white people!
2. I went to school when kids went home for lunch and believed that “Duck and Cover” would save us from the Bomb.
3. I slowly discarded my parents conservative beliefs of the 40’s and 50’s and found my own path.
4. I listened to WMEX and the Red Sox on a tiny transistor radio. Arnie Ginsberg and Curt Gowdy.
5. I knew every stat of the ’67 Red Sox and followed the games faithfully through thick and thin.
6. I lived when we all took piano lessons and were expected to sit through the hour long sermon at church. I think I counted 120 tiles in the ceiling of the Congregational Church in Magnolia.
6. We jumped off the pier, went to the beach, “borrowed” dinghies to party on the Island. Sunscreen? What was that?
7. I got married early, had two kids by the time I was 20. I got to grow up with them through the late 60’s and 70’s. Little hippies! Now I have 4 active grandchildren, and I’m still young enough to pass on all the great music, the Mystery Rides, my love of nature and learning, and stuff that I’ve learned along the way.
8. I lived when music was moving in a new direction. Actually many new directions. In come the Beatles, the Stones, Cream, Traffic, Led Zeppelin, Janis, Miles Davis. They changed our world, and those who have passed on left their legacy. My grandson loves this classic music, and it’s great to listen with him. I love today’s music too. John Mayer, Mastiyahu, Dave Matthews, Jack Johnson, on and on on my Ipod. Thanks to my friend Skip, I’ve gone to 3 concerts in the past month. Tonight we’re off to see Phish again!
9. I’ve come to know and love toys. My son thinks I’m imbilically attached to my computer. My digital Nikon is always by my side. When my cell phone dies, a little piece of me goes with it. An uncharged Ipod?? Unthinkable!
10. I’m so grateful for the friends I’ve met on this incredible journey. I wouldn’t trade 20 years for any of you! I love you all!
Now off to get an iphone to celebrate the next decade!
If you’re celebrating your 60th birthday, please feel free to add your happy thoughts to the list!
Good Morning Gloucester 