On Longevity · 12:18am Sep 20th, 2022
Turning 40 just a few days before the Queen reaches the end of a 96-year journey on this earth - 70 of which as monarch - tends to put things into perspective a bit.
It is mind blowing to think that QE was on the throne for about 30 years already when I was born. Hell, nylon and scotch tape had yet to be invented when she took the throne. Married for as much time as she sat on the throne, nearly reaching the century mark besides? Say what you will about monarchy in general (and there is plenty to criticize in the UK's case), but that's a hell of a run at life no matter how you slice it.
I suppose I don't have a corgi in this fight, as the UK's not my home country. But all I'll say is: I'd gladly give her another bit of time in exchange for yeeting Kissinger off the mortal plane instead.
Anyway. So, into my 40s I go. I guess I get to put my first onion on my belt now? Or I can start quietly asking kids to remove themselves from my yard? I will admit, reaching the 'end of youth' as some call it has caused me more than a bit of anxiety. Not for any vain reasons, I don't think. I mean sure my hair line is receding but not much to be done there. Just roll with it. No, I think it's more of just a feeling that, by the book, my priorities in life should begin changing. Thinking more about managing ends rather than starting new beginnings. In a way I guess that has some truth to it. But does it? I dunno. Hell, I don't know what sort of health expectations I should have going forward, thanks to lax adoption rules in the 1980s allowing biological parents to hand off infants without providing a shred of medical history. :\
I suppose the best one can do is keep their chin up and keep moving forward. Try to get the best out of every day, even if it is just a small thing or two. In any event, here's to the other side of the hill, lol. Let's just hope the downhill isn't sloped too steeply.
Love and hugs to all of you, as always. I deeply appreciate all of your support.
-GMP
You take care, alright Moff?
One's spirit/character is eternal and ageless.
Love and hugs and always here for you
oh boy, welcome to your 40s :B it's a ride, I'll tell ya what
Congratulations on reaching your 40th year in this plane, Moff! It’s a big milestone and one that is cause for introspection and planning. But please, continue to dream of and discover. I have a feeling that there are great and good things to come for you.
Take care, my friend!
Happy 40th Birthday! Hope it was a good one!
Here's the way I look at it. My father passed at 45. So when I exceeded that number, l shifted my thinking. I was in the "Bonus round". I still worked and lived like a 10 year old with a great disguise. Years of life, five combat tours, and finally retired from Uncle Sam's flying circus I've won the "Boss fight ". Ten years of retirement and counting, health issues not life threatening, keeping my hobbies tended like a fine garden, and now it's like life is "Rolling the credits ". But I'm going to hang around until they display every artist, sound engineer, manager, and background player for this experience. Oh yeah I can see the finish line, but I don't let it stop me from being mostly happy to be on "This side of the grass ". So....live, and be happy (as much as you can) to still be on this side of the grass! Fight, live, love, because you've made it to the "Bonus round " see if you can beat my high score.
As you already know, I’m over fifty now, and I came very close to not achieving that. That definitely changes my perspective, in that I take nothing for granted, and priorities definitely got shuffled around.
Enjoy what you like, share it, have fun and devil take the hindmost.