Just Under the Speed Limit

As everyone on Facebook is reminding me (and thank you all), today is my natal day. How do I feel about it? Well, certain songs come to mind. Whereas before it might have been the Birthday Cake Polka, today is it more Over the Hill:

I look in the mirror, and what do I see?
Who’s that old geezer staring at me?
I don’t remember growing this old.
It just seemed to happen all on its own.

And those pretty young girls, they just pass me on by.
I can’t button these old jeans as hard as I try.
I could despair and bemoan my sad fate,
But as long as I’m breathing, its never too late.

Cause I’d rather be over than under the hill
Well, a wrinkle or two, it ain’t no big deal
I know it might look like I’ve been through the mill,
But I’d rather be over than under the hill.

The story of my life is written on my face.
I wouldn’t change a thing or take another man’s place.
Cause no matter how I look or think that I should,
In five years I’ll wish that I still looked this good.

Cause I’d rather be over than under the hill
Well, a wrinkle or two, it ain’t no big deal
I know it might look like I’ve been through the mill,
But I’d rather be over than under the hill.

Luckily, I’m not singing the Modern Maturity blues yet, nor have I reached the point where I’d rather be dead. Still, I passed 16 long long ago, and even 30 is far away in the rear view mirror. It’s rather sobering to think that next year I could take early retirement at 55 (although I plan to work much longer), and that I’m at the same age that Nell Carter was at when she died. Nell Carter’s death on January 23, 2003 was a turning point for me — it was when I realized I was old. I tell the story that, when I heard of her death at age 54, I turned to my wife and said, “Boy, she was young!”. To someone in their teens or twenties, 54 is old. When you consider 54 young, my friend, you’ve entered the “old” twilight zone.

And of course, my body reminded me of my age today with a light migraine.

Still, I try to stay young in the head, even if I’m decrepit in the body and the mind. I thank all my younger friends here on the networks for that. I’m of the distinct belief that everyone seems themselves in their mid-20s in their head, which is why it is so frustrating when the body doesn’t cooperate when you try to do something stupid. Studies have shown that happy people age more gracefully. But as you grow older, you realize that you can’t do what you used to do, and you truly commiserate with the statement that “youth is wasted on the young.”

In parting, a thought from Amanda Broom in “Heartbeats“: “I thought God was supposed to give you wisdom when he took away your muscle tone.”

P¹2.: Another sign you’re old: You hear about the rants from Richard Sherman, and you think it’s the Disney composer.

P²S.: Happy Birthday to my twin from another mother, Keith. We really must get together, ‘bro — it’s been far too long.

P³S.: Do visit the Birthday Song page and think about the song you want, or suggest additional songs. February 1 is rapidly approaching — the day when I ask you to pick your birthday song for the upcoming year. Remember — it is only comments on the Birthday Song page that count for selecting your song — finding Facebook comments is nearly impossible, and (alas) no one seems to be very active on either Livejournal or Dreamwidth anymore. Facebook is also declining, so where have all the people gone?