Birthday Reflection
Norm Spivey Whenever June rolls around, I’m forced to reflect on aging. Not only is my birthday this month, so is my mom, sister, sister-in-law, aunt, and nephew- all within 8 days of each other! Definitely an in-your-face reminder that time is marching on. My 51st birthday was just a couple days ago.
More than anything, birthdays make one take stock of their human condition in every aspect. As for me, my physical condition is generally good and I can’t complain. However, with each passing year, there is a new ache, pain or condition it seems. My plantar fasciitis has been acting up. I have to wear my VA issued orthotic soles everywhere I go now! My battle with weight is at a stalemate; I’ve hovered in the 210 to 215 range now for several years and not sure I’ll ever be able to get down below 200 where I want to be without serious life change. All in all, I’m very blessed to have great health.
As far as my daily life I am busier than ever. I’m not talking Army training or deploying busy like back in the day, just busy with life. Not a bad thing, but certainly does make one reflect as to whether some of the “life” stuff is really necessary. The year coming up offers no apparent relief. This will be a big year as our youngest starts his senior year of high school and applies to college. I guess like a lot of things in life it’s about time management and establishing priorities.
On the material side, our cup really runs over. I am so thankful. Now I find myself thinking less about the pursuit of wealth but rather how to disengage from the pursuit as well as the legacy I’ll leave when my journey is over. A pretty big shift that we all wrestle with in the back half of life. I got a few more years until retirement but I want to get it right. Perhaps how we end up is more important than how we played the game? Retirement is now more than ever at the forefront of my thoughts.
Our brief journey here comes and goes in the blink of an eye in the grand scheme of eternity. Birthdays are a reminder of this universal truth. I’m so grateful to have had these 51 years to live, learn and love. I know every birthday is a special gift. Looking forward to what the future holds and grappling with this human condition as best I can during my 52nd trip around the sun!
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