Alive at 65!

Boy did that sneak up on me. A young Baggs thought of 65 as old, shriveled, antique, ancient. Back in the day 65 was “retirement age”. That meant AARP, Social Security, Medicare, soft food, driving slow in the fast lane and a grumpy old man shouting “get off of my lawn daggum it”! It’s a milestone hit. And now that it’s here I have a few thoughts.

No…65 ain’t the new 45 or even the new 55. It’s 65. It’s gray hair, wrinkles, 3am visits to the bathroom and forgetting why I went into another room.  I creak and groan when I stand up and I extend my arms when trying to read the too small text. It’s knowing I’m a lot closer to the end than to the beginning that’s for sure. The Beatles wrote “will you still need me, will you still feed me, when I’m 64”, John, Paul, George and Ringo never thought they’d be this old either when they wrote those lyrics.

However! I’m into counting Blessings…so here I go. Number one, I’m still here. Family, loved ones, friends, some didn’t make it this far (cue and crank up Pink Floyd “Wish You Were Here”).  Hey, I still have some hair! Not all of my buddies can say that haha! I’m still active, I travel, I exercise, I’m working (real estate part-time) and I’m still married to my best friend, my soul mate, for almost 38 years. Thank God Deb is healthy and happy. And best of all, I’m now Opa (Grandpa) for the first time. Baby Bella Rose Baggett, OMG do I love her so! I have two sons that chose their own paths. They’ve have made their own way in the world with great passion and success.  They make me so proud.  Joseph and Alexander both have beautiful women in their lives and it seems they enjoy my (our) company. That’s special.

And my Dad, John Sr. is still here, alive and kicking. In spite of the challenges we’ve faced, his imperfections and mine, he’s my hero. We talk 3 or 4 times a week  and visit about once a week, usually for breakfast on Saturdays, sometimes just him and I, other times with his friends. I enjoy that interaction and perspective of that generation so much.

So what’s next? I’m more into time spent living and loving than time spent making money. Sometimes I feel guilty that I’m not chasing a career and the almighty dollar like I used to. I’ve passed on a few opportunities that a younger Baggs would have pursued aggressively. But then I take a 5 mile hike in the mountains with my dog, think deep thoughts, Pray hard and long for family and friends and thank God for so many Blessings. Thank you all for the happy birthday wishes. Peace! And God Bless.