I turned 80 in April. I agree with you, aging gives us opportunities to be who we want to be. There are still some 'rough edges' but not the anxiety to smooth them out 'yesterday', or, at all. And you are right about one's family - when my oldest granddaughter learned to make raspberry jam with her mother last weekend, she texted me to tell me how connected she felt to her mom, and me, who taught her mom. Once considered 'little things' now become what the heart deeply believes are the truly 'big things'.
Best line: “Rather, aging gives us the opportunity to be the people we always wanted to be.”
Also — wait til you hit 75 like I will in a few days. The only problem is all that extra knowledge in your head is sometimes difficult to express in a verbal form — as you attempt to demonstrate how much more you now know (or “realize).
That phenomenon would be the old guy brain who knows he knows something but just needs more time to check where he put it — in the brain shelves of stuff.
“But sometimes it comes alone.”!Some family didn’t get the email,I guess. I keep reaching out,no real feedback,or visits,or calls,or. Thinking of changing my Will,again. Maybe get another JackRussell terrier(times 2) and leave it to them
On my bucket list. Also a visit to Saint Michael’s Church in Dumfries, where Norman’s father James William Cheadle, my great-grandfather, was organist and musical director in the early 1900s.
Happy birthday John! I hope your ability to enjoy a dram properly returned. I have just about a decade head start on you and yet there is a striking overlap in our cultural touchstones. Thanks for sharing your reflections. Now get back to comforting the afflicted and afflicting the comfortable.
Nice reflections. As someone who crossed this threshold some years ago, with some living with cancer time to boot, rings true in many ways. Time is precious, people more so. Some common faves in books, movies and music, some different, giving me some new artists to explore. On music, I would add Cohen and Mitchell to the list.
I turned 80 in April. I agree with you, aging gives us opportunities to be who we want to be. There are still some 'rough edges' but not the anxiety to smooth them out 'yesterday', or, at all. And you are right about one's family - when my oldest granddaughter learned to make raspberry jam with her mother last weekend, she texted me to tell me how connected she felt to her mom, and me, who taught her mom. Once considered 'little things' now become what the heart deeply believes are the truly 'big things'.
Best line: “Rather, aging gives us the opportunity to be the people we always wanted to be.”
Also — wait til you hit 75 like I will in a few days. The only problem is all that extra knowledge in your head is sometimes difficult to express in a verbal form — as you attempt to demonstrate how much more you now know (or “realize).
That phenomenon would be the old guy brain who knows he knows something but just needs more time to check where he put it — in the brain shelves of stuff.
Thanks John, happy birthday. Appreciate your shared wisdom.
John
Thank you for this, the book lists in particular, always looking to expand what I read.
Happy Birthday
John, just imagine what you'll be thinking in 30 years -- though your bedrock principles probably will not have changed.
Thank you John
These are all wonderful reflections, eloquently expressed.
Belated happy birthday!
Excellent taste in movies. And spot on with the rest.
Happy birthday and thanks for the insights !
Well said. All of it. Happy Birthday!
You’re spot on re family. They are everything. Every day.
“But sometimes it comes alone.”!Some family didn’t get the email,I guess. I keep reaching out,no real feedback,or visits,or calls,or. Thinking of changing my Will,again. Maybe get another JackRussell terrier(times 2) and leave it to them
Eloquent and wise reflections. As our shared ancestors might have said: “Lang may yer lum reek”.
Thanks Don. Drove through Castle Douglas two weeks ago and it was looking well.
(My grandfather Norman Cheadle was born in Castle Douglas in 1897. Happy birthday John!)
It’s a rare wee town, Bruce. Worth a visit.
On my bucket list. Also a visit to Saint Michael’s Church in Dumfries, where Norman’s father James William Cheadle, my great-grandfather, was organist and musical director in the early 1900s.
My hometown. St Michael’s churchyard is the last resting place of the poet, Robert Burns. I had no idea you had such strong connections to the Toon.
Happy birthday John! I hope your ability to enjoy a dram properly returned. I have just about a decade head start on you and yet there is a striking overlap in our cultural touchstones. Thanks for sharing your reflections. Now get back to comforting the afflicted and afflicting the comfortable.
Thanks Michael. Hope you’re well.
Nice reflections. As someone who crossed this threshold some years ago, with some living with cancer time to boot, rings true in many ways. Time is precious, people more so. Some common faves in books, movies and music, some different, giving me some new artists to explore. On music, I would add Cohen and Mitchell to the list.
Hejira was no.11!
I like Both Sides Now, illusions vs realities....
Happy Birthday John. And have a great birthday week with family; enjoy every minute.
Excellent John,thanks for this
Happy birthday & to more as pleasing.