I was born on this day 63 years ago. Some people think I'm old. My body is beginning to think I'm old. My 20 grandchildren certainly think I'm old and I imagine my children do too. I used to think 63 was old, but not anymore. The definition of 'old' changes as we add more years to our age.
I'm not old. My mind is an active teen-ager. My spirit is young and sprightly. I'm a most fortunate person, surrounded by love and laughter, family and friends. There are many things to enjoy at 63, and time yet to do them. Like taking road trips with my husband, visiting family in distant locations, watching movies together and just relaxing in the sun.
Isn't it funny when you talk to kids and they can't imagine how we ever lived without television, computers, internet, cell phones, credit cards, and all of the technology we all take for granted now. We didn't need to have our parents arrange play dates for us - we just ran around freely in our neighbourhood stopping for a game of kick-the-can, or jumping rope or hopscotch without a care in the world. Our lives weren't organized for us from morning to night. If we wanted to play baseball, we'd round up our friends and head to the school yard for an impromptu game. We'd screw roller skates to our shoes and clickity-clack our way along the sidewalks. We had loads of fun playing marbles, and paper dolls, skating on outdoor ponds and sledding on local hills.
I was there when the Beatles were 'discovered'. I remember hearing my first Beatles song when I was 13, and watching them on the Ed Sullivan Show. I still think that the music of the 1960's is the best there is and listen to it every chance I get. I was a teenager during the 'summer of love'. I was too inhibited to join the hippie movement though. I did have one of my son-in-laws convinced that I was at Woodstock during that memorable event and hung out with Janis Joplin and that crew there. It broke his heart when he finally learned the truth.
If I had to go back and live a year of my life over, I honestly don't know which year it would be. There was good and bad in all of them, although I remember the good more than the bad. I'll just enjoy the year I'm living now and hope for many more good moments to add to my treasures.
So, go jump in a river fully clothed, have a sleepover with your young grandchildren, play in the playground, blow bubbles, walk in the sunshine, and smile and laugh often. You're only as old as you feel. I love being 60-something.
I was cuter when I was younger though - here's proof.
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| Mum, Dad, Me, Wendy |
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| 1952 - Wendy, Ken, Pat |
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| Me, age 6 1954 |
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| 1953 - Ken, Wendy, Pat |
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| Grade 4 school picture |
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| In Germany 1961 - Me, Wendy Ken |
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| 1966 - High School Grad |
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| 1969 - Wendy's Bridesmaid |
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| 1971 - Lloyd's Wife |
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| 1986 - Our Family is Complete |
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| 1967 - Wendy and me on family road trip |
8 comments:
I loved the 50's. It was carefree and we've never seen the likes of it since. But maybe I'm making it more romantic than it was. I loved the casualness of it all. Kids could play outdoors or down at the lake as I did all the time without governmental agencies taking away everything we just 'might get hurt' on someday. Doors were never locked. The years maintained a 'safety' feeling that we've never seen since.
I too will turn 63 this year. We graduated high school the same year. My hair was equally beautiful, but turned under instead of flipped. We were lovely in '66. It was a more stable and safe time even while the Viet Nam Conflict was going on. We never locked our doors either. I dragged Main and got in cars with "strange" boys and never once was worried. (Maybe I should have been.) But we usually knew everyones parents and grandparents, etc. So there wasn't much chance of anyone being kidnapped. Everyone would have known where the culprits lived. Gas was 25 cents/gallon and hamburgers and Cokes at drive ins were less than 50 cents for both. Sigh! My body and mind imagine they are young too, but sadly neither is in actuality. I enjoyed your pictures and memories. Thanks for sharing your day with the twins. It was yours first, you know. Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday. What wonderful pictures and memories.
Well said Pat and I too can't believe I'm in my mid sixties as I still feel young! Love all your youthful photos. I will be glad when I have all mine on my iPad to use easily.
Many Happy Returns of the day!
Happy Birthday, Pat. I'm happy I got to share all those times, and pictures, with you. We did have an easy, carefree childhood, didn't we! - in spite of the fact that we were nomads, moving every couple of years.
What a beautiful birthday post for yourself!! Happy birthday!!
We are having a "pajamas party" with Baby Ian before we head off on vacation and then to WY. Must enjoy every hour we can with him!!
I hope I feel as young as you do at 60 something! You always give me hope that there is fun after raising a large family. :)
First of all Happy Belated Birthday to you.
20 grandchildren! Whew
7 children! Whew
You were pretty back then and I think you're prety now.
We all age don't we?
Hard to believe all we have done through too.
And I agree with you 63 - is still a baby!
sandie
That was greta Mom! I wish it was in the book you made us last year!! - Mary
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