Today is my birthday. I’m going to quote Charlotte of Charlotte’s Web after the goose had laid her 7 eggs. Of course, my reward today is a little different than eggs although I might be able to buy more chickens to have more eggs as a result of this announcement. (LOL)
In my case here is the reframed quote: “I am sure,” every one of us here will be gratified to learn that after sixty-two years of unremitting effort and patience on the part of our friend Nan, she now has something to show for it. Social Security time has arrived. I’m sure you all wish to offer your sincere congratulations!”
Age is a funny thing. When we’re very young it flies by and before we know it we’re 10. At that time, we’re dreaming for the day we’re a teen and one day we can say we’re “thirteen”. The years bump along and all we can desire is the day that we arrive at the special day of 16 and “never been kissed!”
As the years climb, we want so to be “of age” so we can be an adult, mind you! At that time, we have no idea of the responsibility of what being an adult means so we forge forward turning eighteen and then the magical twenty-one. Responsibilities grow but still, events are bliss.
Life begins to happen. The days of our youth, elementary, middle and high school are over and we begin real work-college, the work force and still we’re sort of in “la-la land”. And then we find true love, marry, have children and the load of responsibility hits like a brick.
The need for a car, house, “things” and the busy schedule now set because of those new needs often weigh heavy on us but we hang on living day to day.
The children come and go and one day the sounds so familiar in the house of the doors opening and closing, the washing machine running constantly and the seemingly unending yells from the back patio saying ” I love you Mom, I’ll be home later” stop and are replaced by phone calls. The kids have moved out on their own.
Those were the days my friend
We thought they’d never end
We’d sing and dance forever and a day
We’d live the life we choose
We’d fight and never lose
For we were young and sure to have our way.(Mary Hopkin)
Well, here I am at 62 and all of those years culminate in my getting the age-old Social Security check. I’m grateful and happy to be able to claim such a reward but the greatest thing about this day will not be money but will be today when I meet with my family and we celebrate a life well lived. All the money in the world could not replace what each one of my family members give to me in terms of love and care.
Josie
