Adults don’t really notice another birthday much—unless you’re turning over the calendar to a number with a BIG ZERO in it. Coming up on 30, there were all those suggestions that we were not young anymore. “Over the Hill” party décor for your unkind family and friends to laughingly feature in the celebration.
Being both practical and positive, I chose to come up with my own refrain for my approaching Thirtieth. “Yea! I won’t be doing everything for the first time any more!” These are three of the fearsome firsts that come to mind: buying a car, buying a house, dealing with a car mechanic.
The comedian Jack Benny avoided being 40 for several decades by sheer denial. I chose to embrace 40 with this denial: “I’m not getting older, I’m getting better!” I was at least better at dealing with car mechanics.
When the 50th rolled around, it became more difficult to claim youth, but my motto became “I’m not just getting older; I’m getting wiser.”
At 60, a whole new era of possibilities opened up. With fewer responsibilities tying me in one place, my motto became “I’m older with so . many . new . opportunities!”
So, what’s happening with the pandemic?
They’re reminding me I’m not as young as I used to be.
They’re reminding me I am not as young as I think I am.
They’re reminding me, I am in the ‘at risk’ category.