ON TURNING 80July 5, 2024
This Tuesday, I turn 80. What have I learned? I’m imperfect. And the older I get, the less I understand. Yet, I still claim to know a few things worth sharing.
But first, don’t ask me to predict who’ll win the 2024 presidential election. Or whether Joe Biden will withdraw from the race. Or if he does, who’ll be the Democratic nominee. Long ago, I stowed my rose-colored glasses in my safe-deposit box. My crystal ball has been in the shop for years.
Still, I’ll say this about Biden and Donald Trump: Age takes its toll.
Now for wisdom: Someone offers you a chocolate-chip cookie or brownie? Take it (unless you’re diabetic). Control calories and sugar by chomping on half, then scarfing the rest when you get home.
Feeling down? Go to your happy place. For example, read a great novel like Taking Stock (by me) or stream Hulu’s The Bear. Schadenfreude! Those folks know gloom! (And joy.)
See an older person standing in a room spinning in slow circles? Step back. The fogey doing the pirouette (might be me) is trying to remember why he or she came into the room. Chances are, the discovery will occur in thirty seconds. If not, the person you observe may shrug and bite into a piece of chocolate. You take your comforts where you can.
Re twirling in a room—I never do this outside to avoid scaring people—don’t worry when you forget a word, a name, a face. It will come back to you. Probably. Maybe. What the hell! But here are six magic words to employ when you’ve forgotten someone’s name: “Excuse me, I’ve forgotten your name.” Always works.
Time to worry? When you’ve forgotten your own name. I seldom do.
More wisdom: Take a stroll with your phone in your pocket. Sure, you could look at photos of the route you’re taking. Routine for tweens, teens and post-adolescent adults often up to 50. But imagine seeing an actual blue sky, the green of trees and shrubs, flowers’ brilliant colors. Also, me being a pragmatic kind of guy, watch where you’re walking so you don’t step in dogshit.
Point of emphasis: Use words like dogshit. I don’t mean anywhere, anytime with anyone. Dogshit is my dog whistle for a phrase that made the rounds in, if I remember—and I don’t necessarily—the 60s: Tell it like it is. Newsflash: Aaron Neville recorded “Tell It Like It Is” in 1966. I checked it out online and listened on YouTube. Impressed? (Me neither.)
I can also impart some of the standard platitudes. Like, don’t waste time and energy pursuing status and wealth. As the 1,800-year-old Mishna (Pirke Avot) advises: “Who is rich? He who is satisfied with his lot.”
But don’t apologize for working hard to make a good living. As Tevye the Milkman explains in Fiddler on the Roof, “It’s no shame to be poor, but it’s no great honor either.” A happy medium beats either extreme.
So, revel in the small stuff. Don’t stress over big matters you can’t control. At the same time, raise your voice to make the world a better place. Paraphrasing Pirke Avot: We’re not required to finish the job, but we can’t avoid trying.
Now, nap time.
The post will take off the next two weeks and pop up (pop off?) on Friday, July 26.
Please pass on this post.
Order my new novel, TAKING STOCK (Kirkus Reviews starred selection) in softcover or e-book from Amazon, barnesandnoble.com or iuniverse.com. Or from your favorite bookstore.
Happy birthday to the man–and husband–of my dreams. I love you to the moon and back. Hands off girls, he’s all mine.
You heard Carolyn, girls. Didn’t you?
Happy Tuesday Birthday, David! I love this post! Thank YOU for telling it like it is. 😉
A pleasure, Michelle. And appreciated.
That was amazing. At least i think it was. Maybe i should read it again, if i can figure out where i first read it.
Twirl around the living room, David. And thanks.
Today – Shabbat Shalom. Tuesday – Happy Birthday. And many more of both.
Thanks so much, Jean. Shabbat shalom!
Happy birthday, David. And thanks for sharing your accumulated wisdom.
I put my accumulated wisdom together drop by drop, David. When it filled a thimble, I knew it was good to go.
Lovely piece, David. Happy Birthday!
Thank you, Bruce. Thinking of what I’ll write at 90.
Happy Birthday David! Any many more.
Thank you, Sandy.
Happy Birthday, David! Sending you big wishes for a wonderful year!!
Thanks, Max. Be well and love to all!
More great insights! Loved it – happy birthday!
Thanks, Aaron (aka my son).