"WOW! What a Ride"
September 10, 2012 * * * * * Posted by: Sue 
"Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, 'Wow! What a Ride!" ~ unknown
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Thirteen. Sixteen. Twenty-one. Each of those birthdays called for festive parties with much celebration; the twenty-first birthday festivities often leading to a little too much celebration, if you know what I mean!
When I turned twenty-five my husband spent the entire day telling me I was ‘a quarter of a century old.’ The day I turned fifty my brother sent a huge bouquet of 50 black balloons to my classroom at school and my fellow teachers made me wear a birthday button all day that said ‘over the hill.’
Turning sixty came and went without much hoop-la…but, tomorrow – ah, tomorrow - I turn 65 and, truthfully, I am not very excited at the thought of being 65.
Months ago the government started preparing me for the big day by sending me all the paperwork for Medicare. Really…am I old enough for Medicare? I thought Medicare was for 'old' people!
Not too long ago I over-heard my grandson saying to a neighborhood friend “Granny Sue’s old – really old. She has white hair.”
Do you remember when our parents would immediately turn to the obituary section of the newspaper first thing in the morning? Yup! You guessed it. That’s now me. Oh dear.
But I’m not throwing in the towel yet! I’m thankful for each new day and each opportunity. Like the piano pictured above, I’ve got a few signs of age, but I’m making sure that when my time comes I can ‘loudly proclaim,’ “Wow! What a Ride!”
Reader Comments (27)
First and foremost Happy Birthday to you Sue, even if this one feels a bit different this time. From your words and the spirit you give off here at Vision and Verb, you do not feel a day over 35 ;-)
I think age or how old one feels is a matter of perception and from the quote you chose to illustrate your post, you are still very young at heart...no matter the colour of your hair.
I wish you lots of fun tomorrow
Happy birthday. I love that quote, it is exuberant and full of life. Both positive qualities in my book. I have earned each and every one of my grey hairs - and a few more that aren't here yet. If I could turn back time, I certainly wouldn't be a teenager again, and probably would opt for remaining where I am - more comfortable with who I am than I was in previous decades.
Have a wonderful day, and celebrate to the max.
A few missing teeth and lots of age spots...but look at all that character! WOW, Sue. You will wear every age you have going forward like a photo op par excellence. HAPPY 65th tomorrow. Welcome to Medicare. :)
Happy Happy BIrthday!!!
As they say - you're only as old as you feel..and - clearly - you're still oh so very young at heart! So - here's to a whole new year and medicare chapter...and a wish for you that each new day be your best day ever!!!
I love the leading quote, its what I would like to go out with. But look at the next birthdays this way. Every 5 or 0 you pass from here on brings you fewer responsibilities and more people to care about and for you. You can start doing all those things you wish you had done and never did - even if its only simple things like walking round the house in your undies. Or less! Become eccentric or immersed in a new interest - something that someone "of your age" shouldn't know anything about or be able to do. Something new every 5 and 0 and you'll never be old and always be fun.
Happy Birthday, Old Friend. It seems to me you are aging with grace and wisdom, and filling your life with things that matter. I wish you a very Happy Birthday and many more. Rock on girlfriend!
Happy Birthday Sue! If you look and feel good, which you do, it doesn't matter how old you are!!!!!! Have a wonderful day! I believe you are definitely making the most of your life!
My thoughts EXACTLY! Happy Birthday Sue!
Love this beautiful image and the quote ~ and I love silver haired ladies of our age who have it all going on ... experience, wisdom, humor.
Enjoy your birthday week to the max!
Here's to a happy birthday, and many, many more!
The quote is just fabulous, and seems to 'fit' you well.
Well, I'm 65-getting-ready-to-turn-66 and that's still one of my favorite quotations. Not only that, I know the source, and if you and I are quoting Hunter S. Thompson, gonzo journalist extraordinaire, with approval, we're a long way from the rockers and walkers! You can find the quotation on his Goodreads page, three entries down.
Just remember this other bit of wisdom from the esteemed Mr. Thompson: "I still believe that a car with the gas needle on empty can run about fifty more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio.”
Happy birthday!
Happy Birthday, Sue! 65...... just a pup. I'm thinking if you keep up your inspiring zest for life, you have a long ride ahead. Love the quote and thanks to Linda for giving the source. Ah, Hunter...... your thoughts and quotes still resonate.
Sue,
The older I get the more fun I have, and I see that in you as well. Life is not about getting older. It's about getting better! Happy Birthday to you! You are an inspiration to me!
Happiest of birthdays - may your 65th year be filled with creativity and joy! And the thrill of the ride.
happy birthday.
what fun to read all the comments. i think 60 was a big downer for me. hey, aren't we being honest? i am keenly aware of life's timeline, and 60 is a very big number. so....what else does it mean? for me, it has meant getting rid of a lot of stuff, realizing that my running is slowing, and an acute awareness that my memory is going.
whining about aging has nothing to do with my appreciation for doing it! so, happy birthday, sue, and i won't say, "welcome to medicare." i'll just say....you're beautiful. period.
I keep telling myself that it's a privilege to grow older, and I can't find any reason to dispute it. I hope you have the happiest birthday yet.
Happy happy birthday! You, Sue, are what it means to be young at heart!
Sixty Five years young! Happy Birthday. I agree with you on the wild ride thing - it's why I don't mind my age spots and my wrinkles and my C-section scars, etc. - I've enjoyed a fun, outdoors, active life. I'm grateful for every joy ride my body has given me. Keep playing!
Happy birthday! Have a wonderful day!
Happy birthday, Sue!!!
The leading quote is wonderful - this is the way it should be. And I am pretty sure that you're having a ride like this. That is how I see you!
Happy Birthday :-) As I always tell everyone, 'Age is only a number'.
I'm trying to remember how I felt turning 65. I know that the year has gotten less important to me as I stack them up. I see people in their 80's and 90's who can show me up and I can only aspire to be as vibrant and young. May you get younger every year!
Happy Birthday Sue! I'm with Cherry, and the age and the numbers thing have nothing to do with how young at heart (or of mind) you are.
Happy belated birthday! What a cool piano photo! Good illustration of more beautiful and treasured with age. The only thing I'm looking forward to with 65 is the hope (vagues as it may be) of retiring. But I'll be patient. I don't want to wish what remains of the inbetween years away.
Happy Happy birthday and that is a gorgeous photo!!! I am reaching the age where I think, hmmmmm, I'm not sure I like each birthday that comes around...can't I now go backwards in age. But I still don't attach any definition of character (for want of a better phrase) to any age, so if I feel like 35, I shall just stay there :)