Becoming An Elder

[poliphilo]

60 or thereabouts was the age my grandparents had reached when I first became aware of them. Therefore 60, for me, is the age of grand-parenthood- the age that marks one out as a member of the older generation- as an elder. Of course I wasn't seriously expecting to feel different this morning- only that's not wholly true- the part of me that believes in magic was. 

Being an elder means you can start taking liberties- and behave disgracefully and have people make allowances. Being an elder means starting to "wear purple with a red hat that doesn't go" as in the poem by Jenny Joseph 

We have taken a mental drubbing this winter- Ailz and I- what with the workmen bashing the house up and the stairlift breaking down and marooning her upstairs- and it simply being such a hard winter with the snow and the ice and the mist and the rain. We've been talking about how low we both feel.

So, this 60th birthday, I am making this resolution: to snap out of it, pull myself together, get out more, vivre ma vie, wear purple...

But first I'm going to take a little snooze....

Comments

[clindau.livejournal.com]

Happy Birthday!

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Thank you

[huskyteer.livejournal.com]

Happy birthday! Hope life keeps on getting better and better for you.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Thank you

[heleninwales.livejournal.com]

Happy birthday! And roll on spring...

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Thanks. Yes, spring can't come soon enough.

[idahoswede.livejournal.com]

60's a snap, I'm loving it.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

That's the state of mind I want to cultivate.

[pondhopper.livejournal.com]

Yes, listen to Carolyn. She's got it right!
:)
Happy birthday, Tony!

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

thank you.

[idahoswede.livejournal.com]

Of course I also wear purple with red hats.

[ex-mommybir521.livejournal.com]

Happy birthday, Tony! I've just hit forty-five, and believe me, sixty doesn't look elderly any more!

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Thanks.

45- so young :)

[akirlu.livejournal.com]

Clearly, you should get a pair of purple pyjamas.

[akirlu.livejournal.com]

Oh, yes, and happy birthday!

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Thank you. :)

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I wear nightshirts- like Scrooge....

[ooxc.livejournal.com]

Happy irthday - snoozes are good!

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Thanks.

A quarter of an hour- mid afternoon- works wonders.

[ron-broxted.livejournal.com]

Did you get my Otter?

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Cute.

I like otters.

[sovay]

Happy birthday!

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Thank you.

[jackiejj.livejournal.com]

Happy birthday
from one who has already been on your stairstep.

Love, Jackie

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Thank you.

[oakmouse]

Happy Birthday! The milestones are always an interesting experience, aren't they? Best wishes for vivid, trouble-making elder years. ;)

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Thanks.

Fifty seemed big at the time. Sixty is unreal.

[oakmouse]

*nods* Forty was a big deal for me, and fifty (which I just hit) is proving to be a major shift. I have no idea what sixty will be like when I get there.

Anyway, enjoy it!

[ideealisme.livejournal.com]

Many happy returns. I hope there is more adventure to come!

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

thanks. So do I!

[endlessrarities.livejournal.com]

Happy birthday!!

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Thank you.

[brttvns.livejournal.com]

Congratulations! You just carry on as you are, I'm sure you won't go far wrong. But I bet the urge to start taking those liberties is strong - be as disgraceful as you dare.
Raising a glass to you - penblwydd hapus!

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Thank you.

I'm going to do my best (or worst).

[carl9whalley.livejournal.com]

Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday dear Tony Happy birthday to you. Carl n gang x

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Carl. :)

[steepholm.livejournal.com]

Hope you had a great day, after your snooze1

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Thank you.

[michaleen.livejournal.com]

Happy Birthday!

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Thanks.