1 year ago
Monday, July 22, 2019
EIGHTY
On Tuesday it will happen. I will become an octogenarian. Folks I have finally reached "old". Milestone birthdays can be exciting or dreaded. Most of mine were easy.
I was good with turning the scary 30. I just felt like I was finally a grown up. Forty was marvelous. I was mentally sound, confident and still able to do most things a 20 year old could do but better thanks to experience. Fifty was just a continuation of 40 and 60 got me excited about nearing retirement when I could do nothing or everything as I pleased with no deadlines. Also a pay check would come in each month with out a time clock being punched. Yipee.
Then seventy hit and that is when I started blogging. I call my blog, "The New Sixty" for that is what it felt like. Sixty had been pretty darn good. First the early seventies and mid seventies were steady. My health did take a bit of a hit the last part of my seventies but I still felt mostly good.
Some how, 80 is the only milestone birthday I have not looked forward to. It is not the "new" anything though I am keeping my blog title and hope holds true.
When I turned 30 just fifty years ago, I started referring to my self as being thirty on January 1st of that year even though my birthday didn't happen till July 23rd. I gave myself 7 months to try out the new age so when it got here, I would be use to it. It worked so well that I have done it every year since.
Ready or not, eighty is here. I hope I don't notice a significant drop off and can just keep on trucking, maybe just a little slower. We will see.
To paraphrase what George Burns once said. "No one wants to be 80--unless you are 79."
One rather delightful thing, after hitting us with a 99 degrees real temperature on Sunday, Nature is supposedly giving me an age appropriate temperature of 80 degrees on my birthday. That is almost sweater weather. Way to go Mom Nature!! Thank you. House arrest will be over for a while.
Was there an age you dreaded or are dreading turning?
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I'm quite happy to forget birthdays. I don't think it will be age that prevents me doing something but as with everyone it's the failing body that I am not looking forward to. So far so good.
ReplyDeleteFun60,
DeleteAs active and energetic as you are I can see your concern but because you are so energetic, that should keep you healthy.
Happy Birthday for Tuesday!!
ReplyDeleteI'm not dreading any ages, looking forward to getting older. Not too keen on the aches though and my asthma seems to be worse each winter. I'll have to see my doctor about that, maybe there's a stronger medicine I could try.
River,
DeleteThank you for the wishes. I too have asthma but mine is along with COPD and a stronger med really helped me. Hope you find an answer.
Isn't that weird? To say that 50 years ago you turned 30?
ReplyDeleteIn September I'll be saying that 40 years ago I turned 30.
Pretty sure I'm not dreading it because right now , thanks to semi-regular trips to the gym I really don't feel my age.
Not living in denial, just disbelief.
Marty,
DeleteWho would have thought it when we were thirty that we would make it this far? Hey, the 70's are the good years. Enjoy and keep going to the gym.
OH, And Happy Birthday!!
ReplyDeleteMarty,
DeleteThank you.
Happy Birthday, Patti!
ReplyDeleteI have a friend who continued to be active through her eighties, including playing golf three times a week. She did slow down at around age 92, but she just celebrated 99 and she is still running with us younguns in our 70s.
Olga,
DeleteThank you so much. I really do believe in the use it or lose it and your friend definitely keeps using it. A great example.
75 was the birthday I dreaded the most and I ended up having two of them. I had dreaded the first one so much I completely blocked it from my mind, when almost a year, then decided to take the bull by the horns and throw myself a 75th birthday party. A guest at the party did the math and---egg on my face---I was already 75 and had been for a whole year. Now I just celebrate anniversaries of my 75th birthday.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday!
Jean,
DeleteThank you for the wishes. I had to laugh for I did almost the same thing but in the other direction. As I started turning my coming year age on January, one year I forgot and added another year when my birthday came around. Fortunately I have a friend the same age and she set me straight.
All of them after 59 have been dreaded.Nothing good happened after 49. I'd give my right arm for my 40's back. Happy Birthday Patti. The positive is you can have cake and ice cream on Tuesday and you can't hear us sing happy birthday :-)
ReplyDeleteMargaret,
DeleteWeren't those 40's the best? Health, brains and confidence--we couldn't be touched.
Thank you for the wishes.
80! To me you will always be the hot young thing that told a famous handsy golfer to take a hike.
ReplyDeleteThey say age is only a number, congratulations, you are hitting a really big number. Hope to make it there myself someday.
joeh,
DeleteThank you my friend. You just made my day and I hope I am around to wish you a Happy Birthday when you make the big eight oh.
60 hit me pretty hard, but after I got over that I decided it was a blessing just to be alive. Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteTerri,
DeleteThank you and yes, the alternative is not all the bright so I am happy to have made it this far.
My mother-in-law is 83. She plays guitar, bowls, plays golf and travels the world. I think she's healthier than me. So age is just a number. Happy Birthday to you!
ReplyDeleteJoey,
DeleteThank you so much. It is nice to hear about those who make it look so simple and it gives me a goal to shoot for.
I don't remember ever dreading reaching a certain age, but then again, I am 67, I may not remember! Happy birthday to you, Patti. You're still a cool blogging buddy at 80.
ReplyDeleterobin,
DeleteThank you so much robin. You have been with me all these years--one of the very first. You are still a puppy and have the neato 70's ahead yet. Enjoy.
Hope you celebrate well tomorrow, Patti! Just be gentle with yourself, and be sure to keep a firm grip on your trusty sense of humour!
ReplyDeleteOut to Pasture,
DeleteThank you so much and actually doubt I'd have made it this far without laughing at the challenges of life.
Patti - you join several of my friends who are in their 80's and still going strong. You and they are my mentors, living full and active lives as octogenarians. I am always quite surprised when May rolls around, and I'm a year older. I still feel pretty great though I can tell at 75 I'm no spring chicken. Keep smiling and keep active, Patti. Happy 80!
ReplyDeleteBarb,
DeleteThank you so much Barb. It is always good to learn I am not alone and that this age group is quite doable. Think I am over the shock now and am looking forward.
I turned 70 in February. Nothing significant...just another day. Some days I feel 100 while most days I feel 30. As you say, just slower. I've never dreaded ANY birthdays...enjoying my time here and living the good life with ALL the ups & downs.
ReplyDeletePs...july 22nd is my mother's birthday. She would've been 108 today. Hope you have a grand celebration.
Hootin' Annie,
DeleteI know, I have that 30 year old mind also. Sometimes it gives me a check my body can't cash but I am glad for it.
First off, Happy Birthday! That is definitely a milestone to celebrate.
ReplyDeleteMy Dad was 98 when he passed, and well into his 90's he was riding his bicycle, volunteering at the museum and in the winter, he curled and went to local hockey games. Age is definitely just a number. Besides slowing down is a great way to observe and enjoy life.
Have a marvelous day and I hope you do something special for yourself.
Eileen,
DeleteThank you. Your dad sounds like my brother. While my brother is only 3 years older, he has set the example of how people should age. If we don't use it we will lose it. Slow is good, but that quit moving rust. I plan to move as long as possible.
One of my favorite aunts used to say, "You are just as old as you think you are." I think that might be worth remembering, and just keep on keeping on without thinking too much about age. I would be surprised if that's not exactly what you will be doing. Happy Birthday!!!
ReplyDeleteChip Butter,
DeleteYour aunt is so right and thanks for the wishes. I am all ready adjusting.
I don't think I dreaded or do dread turning any age. But my dad died at 75 (I'm 74) and he never seemed old to me. I think making it past that mark will be like a milestone. But congrats and Happy Birthday on Tuesday! (I like that George Burns quote.)
ReplyDeleteRain,
DeleteGeorge was a favorite of mine. Thanks for the good wishes and I know the feeling of out living your parents. I out lived both of mine but my grandmother set the bar higher. I have to make it to 94 to pass her.
I've never really dreaded any age. What I do dread is my body slowly giving out. But we don't have a choice, so may as well accept the facts and keep trucking on. I don't feel like I'm in my seventies and I bet you don't feel eighty at all. You have such a fun outlook on life and sound younger than most people I know. So, Happy Birthday! Eat a big piece of cake and enjoy that you were blessed to reach this age. Many people don't get the privilege.
ReplyDeleteSnickelfritz,
DeleteThank you so much for the wishes and ego boost. I do have a 30 year old mind that always gets me in trouble but I keep listening to her:)) Yes, I am grateful to have made this age level.
I've never paid a lot of attention to birthdays, to be honest. I've always just been so glad to make it another year, regardless of what shape I'm in or how rough that year might have been very many of those years--LOL! ;)
ReplyDeleteRita,
DeleteLike you, no birthday till this one has even made my brow wrinkle. Actually today is the day and I am feeling pretty darn good about it now.
Happy, happy birthday, Patti!!! :) :)
DeleteWishing you a happy birthday, even if you are dreading it a bit. Since I just hit 75 and felt OK about it, I'm thinking I'm with you. Eighty does sound old. Does it work to stay young in your head even if the rest of your body doesn't follow along so well?
ReplyDeleteLinda,
DeleteWe both aged a bit this past week. You managed to make it a real celebration. Way to go.
Ha ha, yes 80 does sound old to me too. I use to think that old was 15 years older than me, not it appears to be here. Yes that 30 year old mind does help. She has gotten me this far and I think she isn't done.
I started reading the comments but ran out of time! I'll just say that I do something similar, and I will be 77 on my next birthday. Now I'm trying it out. We are almost the same age! And I wish you the very best birthday ever, and remember you are my favorite blogger! Don't stop just 'cause you've left your seventies behind. :-)
ReplyDeleteDjan,
DeleteHa ha, trying it out ahead of time does take the sting out.
Right back at ya my friend.
I'd like to get rid of these wearing out seventies.
ReplyDeleteMage,
DeleteThey can take a toll on you. Hope you get a break soon.
I had one, I think it was 50. My mother wanted to celebrate it and I wanted to ignore it. She came over with a cake and I was irritated because she refused to forego a party. We were both wrong.
ReplyDeleteBarbara,
DeleteShe meant well and you just wanted it to slip by unnoticed. Aren't you glad that is over?
When I turned 30, we went to a pizza/arcade restaurant. The kids playing were 15. that felt strange.
ReplyDeleteThe thing about heading toward 70 is that most of me feels good. We will see how that works out for me.
The thing that keeps writers young is writing. And clearly that is what you are doing, writing.
Susan,
DeleteThat was quite an age difference and would have felt weird.
Good chance most of you will continue to feel good and you are right, writing helps.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteSorry about the delete...I made a mess and had to do over. Hugs
DeleteSorry to be late with my wishes for you to have a Happy Birthday sweet Patti. To me birthdays have always just been another day that I was thankful to be alive and doing well. I will be having my 80th in November so I am not far behind you on the 80. I am glad you had nice cool weather on your birthday. I am looking forward to reading your blogs so we are going to just keep right on trucking...okay! Big hugs
ReplyDeleteMaggie,
DeleteThank you. They use to be just another day for me and now that it is over, it was. Looks like you are soon to join the club. Lots of good people I know are members.
Nowadays, I don't think anybody is old unless they are 100. And even then, if they're healthy and of sound mind... I consider them merely seniors.
ReplyDeleteThe main thing I can see is that your brain is super sharp, Patti so you're a youngster at heart.
Yikes! I forgot to wish you a very happy (though belated) birthday!!! Yay!
DeleteKay,
ReplyDeleteAww thanks for the wishes and the assessment. One can hope. Just grateful I am as good as I am.
Even more impressed with your potty-repair success now that I learn you are one determined octogenarian! Hubby and I are having to make age-related changes and tell each other often "Go as far as we can as long as we can!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your next decade.you share as my auntie who made it to 96 recently. On my July BD I turned 73 and have used the age since spring. Age is just a number but for me some numbers hold more meaning. Au 16 my Dad died at 32 my brother died so numbers made me worry my dad was 42 so when I was 42 I was worried and that year my Mom died. She was 70. At 70 I worried again but this time it was all good. My first grandchild was born. 73 is Buddy’ birth year and he just turned 46, my birth year. No idea what is our future but so far all looks good.
ReplyDeleteSorry for so many errors
ReplyDeleteHAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! The only birthday I dreaded was when I turned 27 (of all things). To me it signaled that I was no longer of the "college crowd" and was thrust into the label of "adult." Now I consider that I am not really a year older when I have a birthday. I'm only one day older that I was the day before.
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday dear friend. I agree with your reactions to the big Oh birthdays. I celebrated 70 and realized, yup, I am officially old. Good quote about "no one wants to be 80, unless they are 79", ha ha.
ReplyDelete