Turning (and now turned) 60

I don't much like the "nine" years and I can frankly say that 59 was not my favourite year. But favour aside, the "nine" years are for me retrospectives, assessment periods where I suss out what worked and what didn't, what changed that I had hoped to change, what didn't, an examination of happenings, accomplishments, how the body held up or gave out, what the kids were up to, and on through mostly -- until the moment of thinking -- an unthought out and meandering list of "what was" over the past decade. Of course I don't spend all of my time thinking back. Life is too full for that kind of inwardness; there was too much to actually do, too much enjoyment to be had, etc. But simply put, the "nine" years seem always to make me feel old.

Then along comes a big fat zero, this year 6 and 0, and just like that there is a clean slate, a whole decade to grow older into and it is thrilling and wonderful and no matter how old I get -- and believe me 60 is old -- zero years make me feel young, even with sciatica!

Here is one reason you can be sure 60 is old: I have had any number of friends and friendly liars come to tell me that I don't look 60. (I do look 60, really.) That they are amazed that I am so old (see they actually say it), but of course by being so amazed they reinforce the fact that they think 60 really is old, even if someone doesn't look it. I've been a daughter for 60 years, a sister for almost 59, a wife for most of 37, a mother for nearly 35, a grandmother for just about 4. My attachment to Cape Breton and my commune family of friends here is 40 years old this summer. I'm not ancient old, but I am now old, and happy to be so, for as many have said over the last while, it IS better than the alternative. At least it is for now, and I hope it stays that way for quite some time yet.

I offer here a thank you to all who have wished me well, sent cards and presents, lied, laughed, and stuck by me all this time. I love this ride we're on! Special thanks to Marion & John for hosting the party, and to Andy for helping them.

Above are a few photos of a wonderful Sunday afternoon gathering held in my honor. I wore my cowboy boots and I think you'll see more of them in this decade.