septagenerian

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Everybody and their dog is familiar with: Is the glass full or half empty? It depends on your perspective. My thought was as long as there is more libation to add in the glass what did it matter. However, I’ve meet a handful of people along the way who are consumed with negativity. Sadly, these folk never have a good day, they never see the silver lining in the face of adversity, and they don’t laugh at their own foibles. Further, they are unable to accept blame for their own mistakes.

Witness the PT Barnum circus in Washington. For the first time in history, only PT knows the truth–everything else is “fake.” Wow! I must be the most stupid person on earth to watch a PT video, which is immediately denied as “fake,” if there’s a backlash. It’s a most curious world.

As most of you know, a week ago I turned 70. Not a number I necessarily wanted to be, but I can’t deny my birth certificate, nor my passport. I can’t call it fake news. It is a fact. Yes, Sue, you’re 70, and the sun is still shining.

Admittedly, I had a tough time turning 70. It was a anchoring moment…until my one of my high school friends posted:

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Yep, it’s all in how you look at it. A mere 21 in Celsius. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’ve no desire to be 21 again–50ish perhaps, but not 21. Working all day, staying up late partying all weekend, or squeezing my squashed behind into trendy clothing. But at least I’ve a comeback remark when someone asks, “How old are you?”

“Fahrenheit or Celsius?”

Who knew? I thought I was the female version of Peter Pan. Yet, the next time I blog I will be a septuagenerian. Believe me, in the past several months, this reality has been on my mind. Seventy has forced me to examine my life. Have I made a difference? Have I contributed to the greater good? Have I been the best mom I could. I don’t know.

Then last night I decided to take another tact; I asked myself, “What modern invention rocked me?” My grandfather, who was born in 1892, said over and over, electricity changed his life. Of course, he enjoyed the convenience of indoor plumbing too, which came later.

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In preparation for this blog, I asked my 93-year-old mother what rocked her. She struggled with her answer, describing herself as a child of war–born shortly after WWI and living through WWII. She did note she and my dad got their first television in 1950, which later morphed into a big-screen entertainment center. Microwave ovens, cellular phones, disposable diapers, and rotary lawnmowers.

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I suspect you think I will say the computer–it, indeed, rocked me. It certainly changed my life, but it was not the first thing. It was my watch. Like many, my first big-girl watch was a Minnie Mouse. Admittedly, numbers have never been my best friend, and I labored learning to tell time. My maternal grandmother frustrated me when I’d ask, “What time is it?”

“Quarter past.”

What does that mean? There’s no quarters on my watch, nor halves, nor three-quarters.

Eventually, I mastered the art of telling time, but my world was shakened when Texas Instruments introduced a digital watch in the early 70’s. Now, with a simple button press, I instantly knew it was 5:45. I didn’t have to wind it. I was in heaven! Thus, began my love affair with watches. I have designer, analog power ones, and was once gifted a Rolex. Rolex–the most over-priced, over-rated, high maintenance watch on the market.

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I’ll take my newest one any day. You know the one. The one that counts my steps, monitors my blood pressure, sends me messages and emails, allows me to answer in-coming calls, search the internet, etc. And it tells time!

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Seventy is creeping up my shorts. Got to go. Time’s a wasting.

Dr. Suze Espouses

It’s How You Look at It

About to be 70