"SURPRISE!!" My Dad with William after being greeted by the gang at the door.
I was really feeling a little strange about my Dad’s birthday this year. Normally I don’t think much about birthdays but this time I did.
He’s turning 70. We celebrated his birthday last weekend but he’ll actually be turning 70 tomorrow. I guess what I’m feeling is that he’s actually getting old.
I’ve never really thought of my parents as old because they have always been so active. They had my brother and I at a relatively young age (early 20′s) and they’ve always been into sports, their family and friends. Plus they are truly young at heart and that’s never more evident than when they are playing with/caring for their children – especially their grand kids.
In true new urbanism fashion, we chose to live in the community we’re in because it is close to my parents. We wanted to give our kids the opportunity to grow with the love, attention (and some nagging) that comes with having doting grandparents nearby.
So when it dawned on me that my Dad would be turning 70 I felt like a switch went off and that all of a sudden my little world had changed…I have aging parents that will need me in ways I hadn’t fully thought about.
This change also means that I’m aging….really aging. I’m my parents’ eldest so if my Dad is 70, I’m not too far behind. Maybe that’s the real reason for this anxiety.
Except I don’t really feel anxious about me. I’m a little closer to feeling sadness rather than anxiety. The 30-year old father I see through my “mind’s eye” is truly past that age and closer to a phase of life I’m not sure I’m ready to accept.
Wearing his Birthday Hat & seated in front of Hannah's painting of Inverness (his favourite picture).
For that reason I titled this post “Celebrating Aging” to remind myself what living a rich life is really all about. It’s not about money or lavish material things. Rather it’s about having in your life people that care about you, that are there for you in good times and in bad, and that wouldn’t be anywhere else in the world on a Saturday afternoon if it meant missing you blow out a few candles.
Best of all they’d consider this opportunity to share a birthday celebration with you a blessing too precious to miss and a joy to remember…always.
Happy Birthday Dad!!
Your dad is a good looking man!!!! And I definitely see the resemblence in the smile. My mother was an “older mom” so I always thought of her as old–but you’re right. The aging of our parents is a sign that we, too, are aging–no matter how young we might feel. Hope you all had a wonderful time sharing his birthday.
Thanks Bev – we had a wonderful time! And yes I’m my Dad’s “mini-me!”
What a great tribute. Are you going to post some of the video also. Some great pictures. Thanks for sharing this wonderful occasion.
Very nice! That man does not look 70!! Lucky you with those great genes. And you are right, the older my dad gets, the more I cherish all the moments I have left with him. He is going to be 86 this year and is very healthy. So we are both very blessed. Thanks for sharing.