CoEternity

I had not been, initially, amused with the arrival of my 60th birthday and its implications of impending dependency and slowed response that await those who make it this far in life. Ever since my father retired at age 62, I've had this milestone in mind, imagining the elderly certification that is represented by the arrival of the seventh decade of life on this Earth, in this country in this century.

So what. Big deal. I turned 60 yesterday.

Here is what I want the next decade to bring:

• More exploration of my creative capacity, whether in performance or writing
• More grandchildren from my completely adult, competent children and their spouses
• More opportunities for celebration of my place next to my gifted, clever, funny and very young wife
• More success in the work world as I accept the role of wiser, if somewhat wiseass, old man
• More clarity about the ultimate value of existence through pursuit of all of the above

Having been doused with tons of good humor and attention yesterday from friends and family, I feel the benefit of that collective energy, and I am reminded that this energy is there for the tapping every day of my life. It would be my loss, and my shallow stupidity, to ignore this manifest gift through self-reverence, self-centeredness or laziness of spirit. 

To my friends and family who've made the positive case for my attentive presence in their lives, I pledge to be here, to push forward, to listen , to actively respond and physically participate as requested or as desired by each of you and all of us. 

For a minimum of another ten years, that is.  I'll get back to you in 2020 about the plan for decade number 8.