When I’m Sixty-Four

We’ve reached the time of year when we abide by an unwritten rule: It’s no longer appropriate to say Happy New Year!  We’re well past the first week of 2026 so quit thinking the year is still “new” already. On the other hand, it’s entirely appropriate to say Happy Birthday!  Today happens to be the birthday of yours truly, as it has been for the past sixty-four years. I now find myself squarely between “Early Sixties” and “Medicare Eligible”, which sparks a wide variety of thoughts. Including a song by The Beatles.

Here’s a contradiction I wrestle with every birthday.  I am celebrating 64 years but it’s actually my 65th birthday.  If you don’t count the very first one (when you turn “0”) you’re effectively removing the first year of your life from the equation.  64 equals sixty-four years of my existence.  But 64 also means my sixty-fifth birthday.  Get it?  I didn’t think so.

YAY for German chocolate cake!

Birthday are traditionally celebrated with presents and cake, and both made their appearance yet again this year.  I keep telling my wife and kids no presents, because in our sixties we finally learn we have almost everything we need (and need almost nothing we have).  On the other hand, I will never turn down birthday cake, especially when the choice of flavor is mine to make.  German chocolate – heavy on the coconut if you please.

My birthday is also the perfect reason to recall my late father.  He was born the very next day (well, the very next day thirty-three years before).  If my mother could’ve held on for another couple of hours Dad and I would’ve shared the same birthday.  Not that I ever blamed her for choosing January 22nd.  I’m sure the last thing she cared about back then was the clock.  But at least she got a kind of two-fer in that Dad and I celebrated our birthdays together every year.

Love me some Norman Love

Our financial advisor makes a nice birthday gesture every year with the colorful assortment you see here.  These beautiful chocolates – handcrafted by Florida-based Norman Love Confections – are too pretty to eat.  Having said that I can assure you the entire box will be empty by early February.  Yes I realize this “gift” is really just me buying myself a birthday present, since it comes out of the profits of my own investments.  But at least there are profits…

My birthday is also a reminder I fall under the sign of Aquarius (barely).  An Aquarius is described as intellectual, independent, and humanitarian.  I happily embrace all three even if I regularly fall short in all three as well.  On the other hand, Aquarius is the water-bearer.  In the thirty-odd years my wife and I have been homeowners we’ve been plagued with every form of water disaster imaginable.  Drips, leaks, mold, flooded basements, overflowing retention ponds – you name it.  Would it surprise you to know an ice storm is headed our way in the next few days?

Finally we have The Beatles; or at least, Paul McCartney.  McCartney, who turned 83 last June, wrote the merry tune When I’m Sixty Four when he was only fourteen.  The lyrics include musings about his life fifty years on, but really the song’s just a silly rant about a time he couldn’t possibly foretell.  (At least he thought to include “Dave” in the lyrics.)  If I could meet McCartney in person I’d love to ask him, Hey, was it really like the song suggested nineteen years ago?  Even if it wasn’t I’ll bet he’d take age sixty-four back in a heartbeat.

We make wishes when we blow out birthday candles (even at my post-middle-pre-senior age).  Such was the case again this year on top of my German chocolate cake.  What did I wish for?  I’ll never tell, at least not unless the wish comes true.  But I will admit to one distraction while I was huffing and snuffing those candles.  There were only sixty-four on my cake.  I’m thinking there should’ve been sixty-five.

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Author: Dave

Five hundred posts would suggest I have something to say… This blog was born from a desire to elevate the English language, highlighting eloquent words from days gone by. The stories I share are snippets of life itself, and each comes with a bonus: a dusted-off word I hope you’ll go on to use more often. Read “Deutschland-ish Improvements” to learn about my backyard European wish list. Try “Slush Fun” for the throwback years of the 7-Eleven convenience store. Or drink in "Iced Coffee" to discover the plight of the rural French cafe. On the lighter side, read "Late Night Racquet Sports" for my adventures with our latest moth invasion. As Walt Whitman said, “That the powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse.” Here then, my verse. Welcome to Life In A Word.

15 thoughts on “When I’m Sixty-Four”

  2. I always celebrate the day after my birthday much to the amusement of my family. I turn 79 this year, so the day after is a big one: the first day of my 80th year! Most people are so confused that they always think I am a year older than I am!

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    1. Once the first chocolate “falls” it’ll be like dominoes after that. You’re probably right; they won’t even last until the end of January!

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    1. Some of the lyrics of McCartney’s song are a little odd. Would love to know what inspired him. Then again, he was only fourteen. At that age you can use whatever words you want!

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  6. Happy Birthday Dave and cheers to another trip around the sun! I had a good friend who also subscribed to that theory of actually being one year older than we mark or celebrate. My financial advisor doesn’t send me chocolates on my birthday, but every client gets a Harry & David gift for Christmas. In the beginning it was a dozen, gold foil-wrapped huge pears, but lately, it has become a mix of pears and apples, with just one gold foil-wrapped pear, yes, ultimately paid for by our advisor fees. I’ve always loved that song and know it by heart. 🙂 I am having a milestone birthday this year – 70. Milestone birthdays, nor any other birthdays, have never bothered me, but I will admit the idea of turning 70 does.

    I hope you don’t take a big hit with the ice storm – several other Southern blogging pals have mentioned they are in direct line as well. Michigan has sent a convoy of linemen to Arkansas for two weeks as they are expected to be hit hard. Stay safe.

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    1. 65 years (not birthdays) is a milestone by design in this country (Medicare). I look forward to the break in our budget more than the number itself. Generally I haven’t marked my life by ages but more by significant events, as well as my physical/mental health. By that criteria, I’m doing pretty well!

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      1. Yes, individual insurance is pricey indeed. When my boss and I left the Firm and went out on our own, I learned that quickly. He was covered on his wife’s insurance, so I had to get my own. That is good you are doing well physically/mentally Dave; I feel that way about myself too as I approach 70. It behooves us to stay physically active and stay sharp for as long as possible. That said, I have not done too well on Wordle the last few weeks. 🙂

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    1. 98 – oh my! We should all be so lucky, right? You and I are pretty much a generation apart, since today is my Dad’s birthday and he would’ve been 97 🙂

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