Hey there. Hope you’re all well. Tell me what you’ve been up to!
Hard to believe it’s been almost a year since I wrote anything in this space other than the introduction to the next writer in the series. But I just double checked. I finished my year of posts, came back on February 20, 2016 to check in, and then faded into the background. I regret that. And I miss you all.
What has caused me to come here tonight is something I marked on my calendar at the first of the year. 60 days from today, if my luck holds out, I turn 60.
That is also hard to believe.
Really hard to believe.
I started the year sick and stressed, with extra pounds from a thyroid issue and the holidays. I needed an intervention, and I gave myself one–3 days at Canyon Ranch. Days that were not just about exercise and massage–I also went to lectures on nutrition and memory. I had acupuncture. I did Qigong. And as part of a thank you to my body for carrying me this far, I’ve been eating for health for almost a month. And I haven’t let not being perfect stop me.
Even as recently as my 40’s, I looked at people in their 60’s and thought OLD. But scouting ahead for those behind me, some encouraging news. With 60 days to go, I don’t feel any different than I did when I turned 40 or 50.
Despite all that’s going on in the world, I’ve been breathing. And not writing but refilling the well. And I feel better than I have in two years.
~
the first in a series of posts during the 60 days leading to my 60th birthday
~
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?
—Mary Oliver
Thanks for sharing Cindy! I’m not enjoying the ‘middle age’ thing all that much and am glad to hear you took time for yourself and are feeling great. Here’s to a year of stories and laughter, in spite of our tumultuous times.
Hey Ben! Hope you’re liking your “new” job. And congrats on the cool Logitech video. Let me know when you’re in Atlanta.
In considering my own blog writing paralysis of late, I’ve thought of setting myself up a discipline of posting every day to get those muscles going – but then, who cares, I think? Then I remember your daily postings and how much I enjoyed them. So glad to hear from/about you in this vein again. I’m right behind you with 58 coming in – and likewise, embracing time like never before. (only wish I had more of it to myself!)
Nice to hear from you, Tricia. I enjoyed your post the other day about building a fire, but I don’t think I stopped long enough to leave a comment. I’m still reaping benefits from that daily practice–it taught me so much about myself. And it was the year I turned 58 that I did it : )
Nothing like a little self-care to kick-start a new decade. Good for you!!
Absolutely! Thanks, Jen.
You make me look forward to my next age milestone, turning 50. I’m 48, and dealing with the shock of declining vision. I must have 5 pairs of reading glasses scattered all over my house! I plan to make an appointment with an eye doctor and see what’s going on, and what my options are. Am I really ready to face the possibility of bifocals?
Welcome to Catching Days, Terri. My vision started going the year I turned 40–I think law school accelerated it. I still have reading glasses everywhere, and now some distance glasses too!
Welcome to the 60s, Cindy. Regardless of what we thought in earlier decades, you are not old till about . . . 72!
Thanks, Richard–happy to get a report from someone scouting ahead of me! Hope you’re well.
And the number 60 is so damn pretty! Don’t sweat the long absence from personal posting at the blog–I did exactly the same thing after my year (times 2 or 3, don’t want to think about it long enough to be sure). Mind AND body need substantial time to recover after that kind of sustained attention. It was wonderful and rewarding and the benefits will keep coming… but it was also hard as shit and kind of destroyed you and made you nuts, am I right? Welcome back from being destroyed and nuts! Woot! Anyway, I’m so glad you’re feeling good and looking forward to your best decade ever. The world is falling apart, so we sort of have to bring our A-game right now… DAMMIT I meant to be only positive… um…. How about this: It’s just so great, always, to hear from you, Cyn, and I love knowing you’re doing well. Happy 60 to 60!
Well, you’re right–there is something rather round and perfect about 60… And yes, not only mind and body but also so much else that had been neglected over the year of daily posting needed attention too. And I do STILL feel the benefits. It’s one of the best things I ever did. Always great to hear from you, Claire. I LOVE what you’re doing over at Daily Shorty.
Only seeing this now. Thanks for the applause, I’m really enjoying my revival of the blog and hope I continue to find my way to its best new form. I’m so glad you feel that way about your project (I knew you would but it’s nice to get confirmation). In another year or so (if you’re not seeing it already) I bet you’ll see those posts shape themselves to a kind of memoir in micro or flash, if you WANT to see that, if you want to SHAPE that. I think it would be a wonderful project! I’m only now seeing the potential in a lot of my drafts in my year, so it really does take a while to get the objectivity you need. So what I’m saying is, settle in and enjoy the benefits that will just keep coming and coming….
As you know, for me “60” comes in November. And I’m very sorry to hear about the thyroid issues. It’s becoming a more common problem than it ever was (mine was removed in July 2015) and due to poor guidance from doctors, am dealing with lots of other stuff. Be careful with what you’re doing and if you ever want to talk about any of it, or want info gained through my experience, email me, dear 🙂
Donna, thank you! Yes, you’re right behind me. Great to hear from you. And it seems like you’re having such fun with your blog(s). Here’s to our new decade.
Happy birthday countdown, Cynthia! I’m still processing my milestone birthday from back in June. Hoping to accept it before the next one rolls around! Your time at Canyon Ranch sounds so rejuvenating, and I love hearing that you don’t feel any different than when you turned 40 or 50. Cheers to that! I just finished re-watching Parenthood, and the finale ends with that gorgeous rendition of “Forever Young.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHMlZxG339Y
Oh, Sarah, I still remember that ending… We’re just about finished re-watching The West Wing. Maybe Parenthood will be next!
Through the years, especially when the kids were little, a 3 or 4 night trip to Canyon Ranch always brought me back to center–and it still does. Whatever I need, even if I don’t know what it is, is waiting for me there.