The last time I reversed the digits of my age to use in a post was early in my blog's lifespan when I published 61? or ... 16? in July 2011. Months ago, a faithful reader stumbled across that relic in my archive, prompting me to re-visit this particular thought experiment, especially because it will be easier to recall specifics of my life from a distance of just nine years vs. forty-five. I hope you'll join me today and have some fun with this, regardless of the way your reversed digits fall.
(If you are someone who journals and you retain your old ones, why not take a peek and see what you were up to at that earlier point in your life? That is, provided the reversal sends you back in time. If the reversal instead sends you forward, why not conjecture what you'll be up to at the older age the reversal places you? For those in double digit territory - 33, 55, 77 - or those with a "0" as your second digit, use your imagination. You don't expect me to do all the work, do you?)
* At 67, I started my own book club. Next January, the club will celebrate its tenth anniversary. And in September of this year, the club will reach another milestone - our 100th book.
* Over the span of my 67th year, with a good friend's help, the first critical phase of a long-postponed project - my daughter recording eight of my original songs - was finished. The completed CD with overdubs, mixed and mastered, was held off for release to coincide with my 70th birthday. Directly below is a link to Bandcamp, a music site you can visit if you'd care to listen to one or more of the tunes. Lyrics are included.
Til There Were Two | Patrick Barton
* At 67, I met the young man who would become my son-in-law approximately five years later. He is a welcome addition to my family and now the father to my beloved grandson.
Please join me in this thought experiment. When I'm 78, I'll try to remember to repeat the experiment a third and final time; forces my hand to project forward to my 87th year. a more daunting prospect for sure.
Reflections from the Bell Curve: 61? or...16?
You've accomplished a lot in nine years Pat! This is a great exercise. My reversed age has me in my eighties.Based on my own history I have long ago given up the hope that I will grow wiser but I have seen people get better with age and can at least aspire to that.
ReplyDeleteRegina; Thanks for the comment. I'm pleased you found the exercise worthwhile. And I too have given up on the whole "getting wiser as I get older" trope. I'll settle for getting kinder or more gracious. If I can manage either of those, I'll leave a more lasting mark vs. getting wiser, which benefits me more than the world.
DeleteMy reversed age brings me to 73. I hope when I’m 73 I’ll feel gratitude above all else. For the things I’ve accomplished and am working towards, and the love that I’m feeling, both in my relationships and life’s small miracles.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous; Thanks for the comment and trying the thought experiment. I won't be around when you're 73 but planning to be grateful assures that you will.
DeleteHey Pat,
ReplyDeleteBeing 69 makes this is a little more difficult. Using last year doesn't really help, either. And in 6 months, 70 reversed brings a whole different degree of confusion. I can say that as I've gotten older I hope that I have learned as much from life as I think I have. I try to learn from my mistakes. I try to not take myself too seriously, I try to temper my anger and frustration and I try to laugh as much as I can. I'll take these as life lessons and next year, when I do the 70/07 ,,,, maybe being young at heart takes on a whole new meaning...
Be well,
Bob
Bob; Yeah, reflecting on 96 would be more than daunting, I suppose. Oh well; try it next year when you are "07" vs. 70. Should be fun trying to recall small pieces of yourself from your first decade.
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