One of my earliest lessons in journalism was to end each article by adding 30 at the bottom. It was supposed to mark the end, with no more to be added.
I always wondered what it would be to reach this age. I used to think there was such finality with reaching this age. May be it is there is the feeling this is the “Aloha” moment, it is Hello and Goodbye at the same time. Would I have accomplished all I had hoped? Would I have gone to all the places I dreamed of visiting? Is the rest of my story, merely epilogue?
The fact is that you cannot deny the passage of time. Use all the advances of medical technology you want, it will become visible sooner or later. The body begins to fail you. The party nights seem longer still and suddenly having an early night begins to seem sensible. Who do I see in the mirror looking back at me?
And yet looking past it all, past the scars and tears that mark me, the journey has been great. It’s been a tough road getting here. What I have lost to the years, I have gained in other ways.
I say farewell to yester years. The road is still before me. It may not look the way I thought it would in my younger years, but I bet it gets better along the way. To everyone, I have met on the way getting here, my deepest thanks for making me who I am. Much love to all who remembered my Birthday, especially because I am terrible at remembering dates myself.
See you down the road, every one.
I’m writing 30, but it’s finally just a number.
