| A recent A.A.R.P. Magazine article listed "50 | | | | down and that it can literally bring you to your |
| Reasons to Love Being 50+". Since I fit that | | | | knees. Like that midnight phone call or holding a |
| description, I thought I'd chime in with a few of | | | | fresh new grandbaby. And as long as you're on |
| my own. So here are my "Top Ten Reasons to | | | | your knees, why not say a little prayer of thanks |
| Love Being 59." | | | | for the good, and for strength in the bad. |
| 10. So far, I've survived the 50's...the age decade, | | | | 5. I've been around long enough to take an |
| that is. A quick look at the daily obituaries tells me | | | | objective look back, and I'm still young enough to |
| that this is no mean feat. | | | | do something about what I see if I'm not quite |
| 9. I have a little more time and a bit more cash | | | | pleased with a few of those sights. |
| to travel with both my girlfriend and my wife, | | | | 4. Lord willing and the creek don't rise, I should |
| which to my great fortune is one and the same | | | | have at least 10 years left to learn how to hit |
| person. We probably won't make it to Italy, but | | | | that sweet little draw around those sycamores on |
| Southwest Airlines still flies to Topeka, doesn't it? | | | | the 5th hole at Eagle Springs Golf Course. |
| 8. I realize that I know more now than I ever did | | | | 3. I've realized just how profound that old Nike ad |
| but understand some things less than I ever will, | | | | was. "JUST DO IT" applies perfectly to making |
| like computers, or what exactly is space, or why | | | | that uncomfortable phone call, going to that |
| some countries always have to start fights with | | | | dreaded meeting, or quitting that job that is eating |
| the rest of the world. | | | | you up. It's all down hill after that first word, that |
| Like Rodney King said back in 1991 "Can we all | | | | first step. Good Karma settles in as you realize all |
| just get along?" Well, can we? | | | | that angst was just wasted energy. |
| 7. Remember that old maxim Don't Sweat the | | | | 2. I know my parents are safely in Gods hands. |
| Small Stuff, and it's corollary It's All Small Stuff? | | | | The last decade had seen them in illness and |
| This seems to get truer every year, at work, at | | | | decline, confusion and fear. And me helpless to fix |
| home, in sports and on the world stage. While | | | | it. That is no longer. I miss them daily, but there |
| there are definitely some things that truly matter, | | | | comes a certain peace knowing they're at rest |
| like a child's well-being, true love, and getting my | | | | after lives well lived. |
| mid-day nappie, most of it is not worth losing | | | | And "The Number One Reason To Love Being 59 |
| sleep over. (Note: my kids have actually named | | | | (and a half!)": |
| my sleep habit, as in "Where's Dad? Oh, he's | | | | Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards is in his 60's. |
| "Taking a Tom". | | | | If he can make it, there's hope for us all. |
| Cute, huh? | | | | (Suburban Journals, St. |
| 6. I've found out that life's curve spikes up and | | | | |