Fifty
Normally, I write a story for my birthday, making some attempt to share whatever wisdom I’ve managed to glean over the course of my most recent trip around the sun.
Yesterday, I found myself reaching back to lessons I’d learned in my twenties, pulling them forward and describing how they applied to my life today.
As a natural-born adventurer (I swear I was Meriwether Lewis or Ernest Shackleton in a former life), most of the story was about taking chances and trying new things.
To the extent I was managing a theme, it was “you’re never too old.”
But as my thoughts turned into words on the screen, the story grew rather long and convoluted. And because we had a full day of new ski boot-fitting for Julia, art shopping for Julia, clothes shopping for Julia, and going to the spa with Julia planned for my birthday (kidding/not kidding; love you, Julia!) I ran out of time to edit and condense the story into something worth sharing with you.
And because today is very likely the last day on an otherwise warm and rainy winter trip with enough snow on the ground to pretend I’m snowboarding, my time is short this morning.
So I’ll cut to the chase.
You, whoever you are, are never too old.
Go do the thing you’ve always wanted to do!
Do it today!
I am 50.
Aside from one trip as a kid, I’ve never skied.
I ride a snowboard.
But yesterday, Julia bought me a pair of ski boots.
Today, I’m having them fitted.
And, if the weather holds out one more day, I’m taking my first ski lesson tomorrow.
You, too, probably have something that you’ve always wanted to try, that you’ve never gotten around to trying.
Well, what are you waiting for?
You’re not too old!
At 50, I’m loving life. I had no idea being [what I used to think was] old could be so much fun, but this is seriously way better than my 20’s.
Still, I’ve reached the point where I’m conscious of the passing years.
If I’m very lucky, I’m only halfway to life’s finish line.
But who knows?
I could break through the paper tape later today, doing a backflip off a cliff.
Life is short.
So do your things.
And love your people.
Thanks for the birthday wishes, y’all.