Made In 1943
Recent
articles in the news have concluded that “72 is the new 30”. Evidently breakthroughs in medicine, better
eating habits, regular exercising, refraining from smoking and alcoholic
beverages and adopting a positive attitude have dramatically increased one’s
longevity. As I turn 70 this month
(March 30) I greet this information with excitement and a sense of
serenity. To be 70 is to appreciate Mark
Twain’s example of aging vigorously: “I am able to say that while I am not
ruggedly well, I am not ill enough to excite an undertaker”.
Frankly, I
don’t consider myself a septuagenarian. There are
no serious illness issues in my life other than I am not supposed to eat
popcorn because of a bout with diverticulosis. On the other hand, I still have
my own teeth and hair. My eyesight is
good and thus I don’t require a seeing eye dog.
As such, I look forward to turning 70 as there are several
advantages. Let me enumerate.
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+ For road races such as
a 10K or a half marathon or duathlon, I now move into the “70 to 75”
grouping. For each race or event, it is
customary to award medals to the first three finishers in each category. Since there are fewer participants in that
category I might just receive a medal for merely showing up!
+ Being politically
incorrect becomes a real plus since I can now express my divergent viewpoints
on a myriad of subjects without repercussion.
People will just conclude that I am senile or a nut job – but I know
better!
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+ While driving the
highways and expressways I will conclude that all the 70 mile per hour speed
limit signs is the various states’ way of wishing me a happy birthday.
+ Being born before 1946
means we do not have to pay taxes to the State of Michigan on our retirement
finances.
+ Restaurant and hotel
discounts will continue of course and I will try to convince everyone that a
septuagenarian deserves a larger discount.
If only Bill Knapps restaurant was still in existence I could receive a
70% discount on my birthday meal!
Of course I approach what is commonly known as the “golden
years” with my wife Mary who will also become a septuagenarian this year – oops
did I reveal that! And next year we will
celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary.
In addition, I look forward to attending graduations and
weddings of our eleven grandchildren. So
life is good. And while the sports world
is getting ready for basketball’s March Madness, as I prepare for my 70th
birthday, based on my feeling great and enjoying life, I’m ready for some March
Gladness!
Bill Kalmar