there are things to mull.
For instance,
when I was young,
I associated being in your 60s
with Social Security.
60 was getting up there.
I remember when my aunts 
pained up required quarters
so my grandfather 
could receive Social security.
He didn’t seem old at the time.
He lived to almost 98.
That seemed old.

My friend and I were born
within days of each other.
She sent me a birthday card that said,
If you’ve confused being sixty 
with being sexy,
then your hearing isn’t what it used to be
either.
That seemed funny,
but I know my hearing
isn’t what it used to be
after 23 years of driving 
farm equipment
without ear protection.
My 84-year-old aunt
says what? a lot now
and balks at the suggestion
of a hearing aid.
She doesn’t seem old.
30
40
50
58
even 59
no big deal.
But 60
puts me in those Social Security years.
and now the little aches and pains
linger.

But then,
I’m a positive person.
Just before turning 60,
I made several new beginning -
a new job,
a new (to me) red car,
a small inheritance (a new security).
So, based on my gene pool,
I’m upbeat about beginning
the last third of my life.

My family knows me well enough
to plan a small birthday supper out.
Being around the table with them
and watching  my grandchildren’s eyes
as I open their handmade cards
reaffirms that now is
enough.

Trudy Chambers Price
2-27-2000