Back in the Day
Laguna Beach 1990
Laguna Beach 1990
Last year at this time, I was preparing for a trip to New Orleans to mutually celebrate, with friends, our 60th birthdays. I was full of angst about how I looked, how I would get around as we were staying near the Quarter and would be walking most of the time. I needed a long-overdue knee replacement and I felt so old. Sixty is a daunting birthday when it's in front of you. I was in constant pain, feeling quite unattractive and unable to do most things I once did without effort. Inotherwords, not a happy camper.
A year later, I have a new knee, I feel better than I have in 11 years when I had my first hip replacement, my body is in better shape thanks to a two year work out regimen pre-op, post-op and ongoing training. I'm comparatively pain-free and it is a game changer.
Certain birthdays are milestones. We should use them as time for reflection, not self-recrimination. Most of us are way too hard on ourselves, too critical, too judgmental, too regretful.
Mistakes are made. Bodies change. Faces age. Goals soften. That is life.
I'm happier now than I've been in eleven years. I'm glad that birthday is behind me. I'm approaching 61 and I honestly don't care.
What a difference a year makes.
So glad to hear you're feeling and doing so much better! I had a hip replacement in 2008, best thing I've ever done for myself!
ReplyDeleteUne Femme, so nice to hear from you. Thank you. The pain is like the old metaphor about "hitting yourself in the head with a hammer...it feels so good when you stop." I'd forgotten what feeling good was like.
ReplyDeleteP.S. Did you see my question on your blog about restoring nice costume jewelry? It has to do with faux pearl (large flat centerpieces on the brooches) that were painted in a pearlized finish but are chipping.
I did see that but don't yet have an answer. I'm not a jewelry expert but have sent out some requests to people I know who might be able to help.
ReplyDeleteTurning 60 bothered me, too, and I refused to celebrate that year. Celebrating in New Orleans would have been much more fun! Now I am approaching 70, and I've come to feel that every day I wake up is a gift.
ReplyDeleteAnd I am approaching that other milestone: my seventieth birthday. The sixties have been filled with many things, not the least of which is gratitude, and having discovered the blogosphere. Life is good! :-)
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ReplyDeleteBlissed: My mother said much the same thing after she turned 70.
ReplyDeleteDeja Pseud: typing your other ID on my Kindle created all kinds of problems. I dislike the spell check on this. I've retyped my response 3x & no longer remember what it was.
ReplyDeleteDJan you have one of the most positive outlooks. I read in Blogland.
ReplyDeleteeven though I also look at decade changes (the '0's) differently part of me keeps saying it's just a number like the last number but one more. I don't know much about replacement body parts but of course I heard more and more everyday. Good to hear it worked great. Oh I would written - faces soften and goals age - but sometimes I think 60 is just number and sometimes I don't.
ReplyDeleteBill, I like what you would have written. It sounds better. Posts of this nature are stream of conscious for me and I write quickly w/o much editing. I spend more time on my political writing, fact checking & what not. But you're right, faces soften and goals age. I like that.
ReplyDeleteI needed to hear some good news about aging! Thanks. I started my Tai Chi classes again, since I'm just getting so stiff sitting in front of the computer all day for work.
ReplyDeletePeace to you!
Hi!
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to stop by and say thank you for dropping by my blog earlier today. It was so nice meeting you!
I LOVE this post!!!!
"We should use them as time for reflection, not self-recrimination. Most of us are way too hard on ourselves, too critical, too judgmental, too regretful.
Mistakes are made. Bodies change. Faces age. Goals soften. That is life."
Amen to every single word!
Personally (at 57 years old), I have enjoyed getting older because, like you, I'm happier than I've ever been.
Age brings us a sense of inner peace, by settling into ourselves.
Great photos of you and your friends!
Judy, I am stiff every morning and afternoon. I know the afternoon stiffness is desk chair related and I have to get up frequently and walk around. The positive side of this has been I feel the need to work out more and more and it not only alleviates the pain but is restoring my flexibility and range of motion.
ReplyDeleteWithRon, Welcome and thank you! I love the name of your blog, ˝Vent". Wish I'd thought of that. I never thought I'd start to feel acceptance of my aging. But, somehow I'm beginning to be comfortable with it. Much of that has to do with no longer being in constant pai
ReplyDeleteThanks for the kind words. Come back soon.
I know it's weird, but I was excited about turning 60. I had a big party where everyone came in formal wear and then I declared 60 the new 40. Woo-hoo! Seriously, this is not our grandmother's "60." Glad you have your health, my friend. That's the most important thing. Have a fabulous birthday.
ReplyDeleteJayne: that sounds so tub and were I home in SoCal, I would have thrown a big party with all our oldest, best friends. NOLA was an interesting though not necessarily satisfying trip.
ReplyDeleteThis year, my husband and I are spending my birthday in Florida with friends. Can't wait.