Once I turned 66, a little over a month ago, my mantra became “If you don’t have the courage to do it now, you are never going to do it.” In the last two weeks I have enjoyed time on my patio. One night I built a fire, some friends came over. Before they arrived I sat and watched the moon rise. It was a full moon and my God it was beautiful. Another night I took my iPad outside and played a game on it, had a beer and a puff - all in my pajamas. No full moon, but watching the colors of the sky turn into night is mesmerizing. While the night is slowing creeping in it is impossible not to thank God for my life. And then come the crazy thoughts. Why not find a way to spend a month or two in the south of France? After the tour of Ireland with the family in 2024 why not stay in Galway for another what a month? I like to get the rhythm and feel of a place. That’s why I started oh so long ago in Shellman Bluff, Georgia. I think I can do it.
What else to I like about 66? At this point in life you know good and well that you have 20 maybe 25 years a left. Of those next 20 years probably 15 of them will allow you to have serious fun. I have itchy feet and for me serious fun is going somewhere. It doesn’t have to be half way across the world. It’s time to start taking little over nighters to places that interest me. But I think what strikes me the most is just being happy. Going to bed every night happy and waking up happy. I have a wicked thirst for knowledge. I don’t just want to read about it - I want to do it. What do I want to do?
Learn enough Spanish to spend a month in San Maguel de Allende, Mexico. A month in Pulgia, Italy? Or maybe Florence? Tuscany? There is a world out there and my God it is fascinating. I want to spend every winter somewhere warm. I want to take time to get to know the grandkids. I will start this summer with a camp out in the back yard. I want to keep taking writing classes and maybe someday write a story. I want to spend each summer watching my garden grow. I want to continue to live the exact life that I design.
