I remember reading a book called "Halftime" (great read by the way) when I was 40. Knowing I wasn't old yet but realizing that my life was probably about 1/2 way through.
I remember blowing through my 50th year and not feeling like I was getting old but when I hit 55 this vivid memory of my dad's 55th birthday came to mind. I remembered thinking back then "dad is 'old' now because he is 55". That was a tough one to face and I had to realize I was in the 3rd period of the hockey game. I'm 57 now and in a few years, I'll enter the 4th quarter of the football game. My body doesn't function as well as it used to and I don't have the stamina or physical capabilities I had a few years ago. Not sure how much longer I can ride the Wide Glide 600 miles in one day. Might have to go to a bagger (probably a BMW 1600) and, eventually something with 3 wheels might be the ride. Want to have my face in the wind as long as possible! I don't think about it a lot. I've been blessed beyond all possible understanding. My wife and I don't have kids so we pretty much remain kids ourselves, we just move a little slower.
I do believe that every day is a gift and I try to open each one fully and appreciate them for the gifts that they are. I thank God that I can still get up in the middle of the night and walk to the head under my own power. The 'stream' is weaker but I can still shoot by myself. That may not always be the case. We lost a few great friends this year to cancer and other maladies and we find ourselves attending more funerals than weddings these days, I think that is a sign of aging. But we don't let the 'old folks' image rest upon us for long.
Too much life yet to live and too many miles yet to put on the bike! Hope to meet some of you along the way!
Author
Topic: When did you first realize you were OLD! (Read 6660 times)