Turning Sixty – or as Patti Smith says, Fuck the clock

For months I had a feeling of dread, shit I’m turning sixty (Oct 7th) and where am I in life?  What have I done?  But my new job is demanding, learning new services and capabilities, working with a new manager and enjoying the new culture, but all of this has kept me away from getting too deep with the sixty milestone.    

My routine is the same, still writing – fiction – finishing the last novel.  Writing Charles Plymell biography and poems when the inspiration strikes.  I’m going to the gym more often and have noticed the change.  Running, twice a week on a good week, three times, and reading as much as possible.  But it’s the work that has taken my time.

Meli and I had lunch with some friends in Northport a few weeks ago, and both are in their seventies, you would not believe it, they are active, traveling around the world. My friend’s wife said, sixty is the new forty and of course it’s just a number.  I am grateful for where I am in life.  Meli and I have a good life in Bethlehem with friends and yesterday, my two oldest daughters drove up from Long Island to visit and brought a card and a book on bridges in Pennsylvania.   We walked around Easton and were amazed at the amount of protestors, no more kings demonstration, one truck with Trump flags, but it was a warm and peaceful day. We watched when they drove back as they passed us on 378 and we waved and I wished they’d visit more often.  As I wrote, I am grateful.  Had dinner with local friends at our favorite Mexican restaurant last night and made it home at a decent hour.  Watched most of Al Pacino in Scarface, why did they have an Italian acting in the part?  It wasn’t necessary. 

Emma is married, there was a lovely celebration on October 5^th – it was a warm Sunday like today, it’s 73 degrees outside.  Matt, my son-in-law brought tears to most of us, yeah me included during his declaration of intent.  He was weeping when Ali and I brought Em down the aisle.   We danced with Em during the Stevie Wonder song, Isn’t She Lovely which we heard when Ali was getting a sonogram – expecting Emma Tess. 

The air conditioner is packed away and we’re taking out our warm clothes.  Yet, I can go outside and take in the sun, instead I am jotting down some thoughts.

Thank you for reading this.

MG