Is Turning 70 A Big Deal, Or, Saturday Morning at 8:44am
As I’ve said, in two months, give or take a day, I’ll turn 70. I feel like I’ve been the same age since I turned 35, maybe 40, and now, surprisingly, whole new age!
Not to sound preposterous, but I find myself wanting a new conceptual model of self in addition to new shoes. Who am I really, now that my knuckles are wider than my fingers? Gray hair, wrinkles, jowls, various tendon issues, somehow all of that felt like it was happening to the self in the mirror, not the one here, on the sofa. I think now the little spark of consciousness behind my eyes is having to adjust. Feels a bit fidgety, TBH.
I don’t feel sad, at least not yet. Were I to give voice to my reaction, which, obviously, yes, it’s a great big, “Huh.” I’m reading Honest Aging, by Rosemary Leipzig, as Kristin recommended, and thinking. Thanks, Kristin.
So much thinking.
But before we launch into a full post, or several, I wanted to hear from you. As many have pointed out, readers’ thoughtful (funny, iconoclastic) comments are one of this old blog’s best features, and it would make no sense to write at any length without your input. So.
- Did/does 70 feel significant? Or just another decade passing by?
- Did/will you take stock? If so, of what?
- Have you made any proactive changes as a result of thinking about it all? Or only in response to events and changes as they occurred – health, life, and so on?
I imagine you can think of questions of your own. Feel free to ask them. Or answer those unasked, for that matter.
Have an excellent weekend. Happy birthday to anyone who needs it.
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