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Tuesday, March 20, 2007

Wishes


I survived my birthday and am now on the other side of 49 staring at 50. But it isn't so bad. Even when I hit 50, I still have ten more years until I have to worry about turning 60. So I've got that to look forward to.
I remember that time as a child when I couldn't age quick enough. When I was five I couldn't wait to be six and start school. When I was 12 I couldn't wait to be 13 so I could be a teenager. When I was 17 I couldn't wait to be 18 so I could vote. When I was 18 I couldn't wait to be 19 so I could get into bars (Idaho's drinking age was 19 at the time). When I was 20 I couldn't wait to be 21 so I could get into casinos and drink in any state.
It was turning 25 that made me think I wanted the aging thing to slow down. I didn't want to turn 30. And 40, well, no one wants to turn 40. I never really thought about 50 until I started spiralling towards it.
So here I am. And I honestly don't feel any older inside than I did in my 20s. My 82-year old mother says the same thing. But we both look in the mirror and know otherwise.
Despite how this sounds, I am fine with my age. I feel calmer than I did in my youth. My career no longer drives me. I have found love in my wife. We are comfortable and have a nice home.
So, maybe those wishes you make when you blow out your birthday candles really do come true.

12 comments:

Whitesnake said...

Listen up mate!

Ya only 25, with 24 years of experience.........

Happy Birthday........Oh I took the liberty....(Not the statue though) of having a few beers for ya being ya didn't turn up for the surprise BBQ......
What ya mean you didn't know?
If I had told ya it wouldn't have been a surprise.......
DOH!

Harmony said...

Hi Tim,

That birthday cake looks good enough to eat, well done Tess.

If you can be any age and be thankful for what you've got then thats a good thing, a magical thing in fact.

I hope your wishes always come true, you deserve it.

Oh and Whitesnake, I guess my invitation to the surprise BBQ must be in the mail.....LOL

JP (mom) said...

Glad you had a good birthday Tim -- and yes, those wishes do come true!

I like the comparision between birthdays in youth vs. adult; I believe that to be a universal truth! Darling Daughter is about to turn 11 and she can't wait (in my aging mind I'm thinking, yes you can baby, slow it down!)

I think each decade is rather like a new stage in life & I hope your fifties are absolutely awesome. Remember, 50 is the new 30 (or some shit like that!) So have fun!! Best, JP

Hayden said...

Sounds like you had a lovely birthday! What flavor was that delicious-looking cake? I've been so hungry for REAL cake for about a year now. Even broke down and bought a "hi class" slice here and there. But - not the same.

(PS, you think no one wants to turn 50? Just wait until you're staring at 60, LOL. I imagine it must get good again about 80, when you can be relieved that you made it another year.)

Time said...

Whitesnake,
Good point. But you should wipe that barbeque sauce off your chin :)

AWW,
Thanks for the well wishes. Just remember the sage words of the Rolling Stones, "You can't always get what you want, but you get what you need."

JP,
I think someone in their 50s came up with that "new 30s or 40s" thing.

Hayden,
It was white cake with white frosting. My favorite! I'll mail you a piece...or maybe we could trade for the Corned Bison.

BlazngScarlet said...

Youth is wasted on the young.

I'm not quite on the other side of 39 yet, and I'm already dreading turning 40.
Not so much the number, but watching my babies age makes ME feel old (er).

Ok, yeah, it IS the number.
40? ME?? Nah .... I still 'feel' like a 20-something!

Anywho, HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY TIM!

Kindness said...

I do think our generation lucked out in terms of age being stigmatized. Who remembers the saying, "Never trust anyone over 30" Women used to lie about their age and now they go on talk shows and brag! I love being at the tail-end of the baby boomers! It is like being on the back of the school bus going over bumps in the road. Weeeeeeeeeee!

Time said...

Thanks Blaznfyre,
Youth is wasted on the young. My main complaint after I hit 40 (and ran it over) was the changes to my body. I no longer could eat anything I wanted. I was no longer indestructible and at a certain point I became invisible. Other that that it is a piece of cake (with white frosting):)

Kindness, great points. I love the idea of bouncing around in the back of the bus enjoying the ride.

Hayden said...

(Kindness - I'm old enough to remember SAYING (and almost believing) 'don't trust anyone over 30. sigh.)

anna said...

Late 40s and early 50s look fantastic on men. Those are, in my opinion, the sexiest years.

I prefer chocolate cake with white frosting, but that cake certainly does look yummy.

Time said...

Hayden, I'm from more of the trust no one generation.

Anna, Bless you.

Anonymous said...

Tim, I'm worried about you. There's a fine line between peaceful acceptance and complacency. How can you fill so at peace with your age when there are still so many Elvis collectibles yet to be had? So many images yet to Photoshop yourself onto? So many topics upon which to write 600 or so inspired words? You're too young yet to give up your obsessiveness about these important things. And we're too young to encourage you to.