Birthday Article

It Is Always a Good Year

by

B.D. Adams ©2014

All my life, celebrating birthdays has been important. Not for parties – those were always great – but that I had made it for one more year! Especially, as I’ve gotten older.

This birthday will mark a very important milestone for me. On December 20^th, I will be 65! Honestly, I never thought I’d make it to that age. Why? I do not know exactly.

Those thoughts might have been implanted mentally by my maternal grandfather (my paternal one died before I was born). Pawpaw, so I had dubbed him, always brought up that he was old, might die before long. This went on especially after he retired and sold his jewelry store in Ft. Worth, Texas. I was a teenager (late teens) when he retired and felt he would be happy because then he’d be able to play golf to his heart’s content! My dear Pawpaw lived for more than twenty years after the retirement. He was 80-something when he passed.

It has amazed me about age -- the art of aging. I guess I have been lucky in the aging category. My parents were able to give me few wrinkles and decent teeth. My weight has fluctuated through the years, but presently, my weight goes with my height. Short, but not too pudgy.

My life has been diverse, but a full life! I am a Mother and a grandmother, have been a wife, a good friend to several others, have travelled and had a career. So glad for Daniel, my love! I have mourned the friends and family who have passed, especially in the last year or so. The song by Jim Carroll, the Irish author and singer, People Who Died plays in my mind from time to time. Music has been very important in my life. Many songs, melodies, speak to my memories of good times and not so good times. However, many long remembered music pieces lift me to continue my journey!

Now, Sinatra’s song of It Was a Very Good Year has begun to weave through my mind – the part about the autumn of the year. At times, I have thought of my life as a vintage wine from old kegs. However, I do believe my life is still vibrant, with more to experience.

I have experienced:

a girl’s giddy, playful life –

a young woman’s love of life –

a mature woman’s need to express herself in her photographic art and writing –

now, as a determined, vintage woman with desire to explore the things yet to come.

I do not regret what has gone by – embrace what is to happen, good or bad.

I will turn 65 on December 20^th, 2014. I welcome the new challenges!!

Photo by Tom Etter 1980