On July 10th, 2022, about six weeks ago, I turned 60. Years. Old.

I’ve always seen myself a certain way – fashionable, knowledgeable, trend setter. In my minds eye, I’m the one the others want to be or be like. When I was younger even still, I imagined all the men desired me, and as I walked through a room, all eyes would fall on me, wondering “who is she?” as I lithely, indifferently glided past them to another place where they could only wonder and wish they were going to as well….

Sigh…

But, as I have turned the page to this milestone age of 60 I realize, no matter how I see myself, now or then, there is just no way to spin that number that doesn’t sound OLD.

And knowing how our society views the “elderly” – irrelevant, invisible, discarded (shameful as that is, and more on that later) – I decided that it was time I started this project that I’ve thought about for many years – to write and shine in my own light, under my own power. To prove perhaps that 60 is just a starting point.

In theory and only if I’m lucky, I’m in the final third of my life here on this planet. And I have no intention of going quietly into that good night (that’s Dylan Thomas for you neophytes out there. Read a little, will ya?)

My plan is to reveal myself, my time here, through musings, anecdotes, and stories. And perhaps through these stories, you (whomever you are) might find out something about yourself as well.

So this is Volume 1, Page 1. I will attempt (because who knows what the future holds) to write 30 posts of about 500 words or so, every year for the next 30 years. Engaging proper English (as much as possible) and a solid sense of sarcasm and humor (sharpened over time), I will write about family, friendships, politics, music, memories from childhood, memories from womanhood, loss, grief, love, food – and the byproduct of all those things – the LESSONS…. that make this brief time we have here so worth it.

Looks like I have about 100 words left today, so I will leave you with this…

As I get older, I have learned to value so many things I have always taken for granted – listening to the music I choose even though I’ve heard that song a thousand times, good hair days, the knowing that the person I am calling will actually pick up the phone and we’ll have a meaningful conversation…and I’ve come to understand that these are actually privileges, and not everyone gets them. I also recognize that many people become bitter as they age. Disillusioned that their life wasn’t what they thought it should be or whatever. I’m sorry for them, because they’re missing out! For me, life is definitely NOT as I would have planned it, but exactly as it was meant to be.

See you next week.