I suppose this should be filled with wisdom since I’ve reached the age of senior discounts but I don’t have anything particularly pithy to say.
A writer without words? Not quite, I have lots of words, some of them good ones. I’m just not always skilled at putting them together.
I could make this one of those “I never thought this is where I’d be at 55 posts” because, well, it’s not. But isn’t that true for all of us? Frankly I don’t quite believe anyone who says “I’m exactly where I expected I would be.”
I could write a post about how more of my life is behind me than in front of me. But not only is that a little depressing the truth is that none of us are guaranteed tomorrow.
Regrets, I’ve had a few, but then again, too few to mention..
I could write about all the things I wish I’d done, or I wish I’d done differently or worse, wish I hadn’t done at all. But that would change nothing. I’m where I am in large part because of the decisions I’ve made.
And, speaking of the “in large” part, I did expect to be thinner by 55. I’m not, but I’m also not giving that up.
I could write about how it’s looking more and more like I’m not going to make my self-imposed deadline to start shopping my novel to publishers. I’m not, but I’m not giving that up either.
I do sort of mark being in my fifties as the time I finally was able to articulate what I want to be doing with my life. I want to be writing, acting and painting.
I still need to get around to the painting. And I need to figure out how all of those replaces my current government check (relax, it’s not welfare, it’s a job).
But I’m closer on all of those things, and while it’s not supporting me full time, I’m able to devote my free time to the things I love. That includes my family and my faith. And it allows me the creative outlet of writing and acting.
There’s more I could say, and probably will say eventually about turning 55.
For now, let’s just say I’m thankful for my family, my wife of 27 years, my boys who are showing some great potential (but could both use some polish). And I’m thankful that, with the exception of the weight and some pesky arthritis, I’m in relatively good health.
Already it’s an hour into my birthday and the emails and Facebook greetings are pouring in. That makes me blessed.
What I know for certain is that while my life here is more than half over, the best is yet to come. And, whatever happens, either way I win.
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