Why is there a counter in the header of this blog keeping track of how long it is until I turn fifty?
I have goals. Some are arbitrarily tied to milestones in my life, such as attaining the age of...fifty. My late father took pleasure in recalling how my grandmother sobbed when he greeted her on the morning of her fiftieth birthday with a chipper "Happy half-a-century, Mother!" I returned the favor in December 1984: I gave Dad fifty silver half-dollars and a burn permit signed by the city's fire chief, giving my father the right to light all fifty candles on his birthday cake.
The funny thing about middle age is that you feel just like you did when you were seventeen. Oh, there are physical limitations and you know a lot more stuff. I wouldn't trade my insights or ability to process knowledge for all the tea in China. It's a wonderful thing to perceive yourself as still being young at heart, but it's deceptive in a way because it fools you into thinking you have forever to get things done. 
I believe I have forever to get things done -- maybe not in this life, on this world, but somewhere. However, there are things I want to get done in this life, on this world. And that watch keeps ticking.
Each of us are reeling in the years, as Steely Dan sang, stowin' away the time. Many phrases from the song Reeling In The Years ring true. They remind me I have meaningful goals hanging over my head and less time every minute to reach them.
This post and the counter up there are tangible reminders to help keep me on target. That, and Steely Dan's lyrics (taken out of context and applied the way I think of them). So if you'll excuse me now, I have some catching up to do. ~~GHC
Your everlastin' summer, you can see it fadin' fast...
Are you reelin' in the years, stowin' away the time...
You've been tellin' me you're a genius since you were seventeen
In all the time I've known you, I still don't know what you mean...
Are you reelin' in the years, stowin' away the time...
Are you reelin' in the years, stowin' away the time...?
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Reeling In The Years...
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5 comments:
Great post Ginger. I have similar thoughts about my 30th birthday which is coming up in two years (ducks from the rocks being hurled my way). It does seem that we have unlimited time to get things done doesn't it?
Really - I'm not meaning to taunt you, just wanted to say I understand :o)
Let's hear some of those goals, Ginger!
Why is it that everyone has goals before that milestone birthday? We humans are just too predictable.
Good luck, and here's hoping no one gets the fire marshall to sign any documents for your cake!
Having just turned forty, I'm beginning to hear the ticking of that clock myself. With it has come the realization that a lot of the little things I've always felt had to be done are not so important anymore, and it's the big ones I should be concentrating on. Here's to fifty and fifty more, Ginger!
Is believing in a life beyond this one we know simply wishful thinking?
Raw Words
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