When I wake up in the morning, I'll be two years away from "fifty something".

[cherokeeprogressive]

One year away from fifty, but that's not "fifty something".

Damn, halfway done. The first half passed in the blink of an eye. I think everyone should write a book about their first fifty years. I've been "Mother's Greatest Mistake" (what they used to call MGM or Mentally Gifted Minors in the 60's), I've been a total geek with a 4.0 GPA, and I've been a total stoner who went to high school trippin' on some excellent Purple Microdot. I played Fagin in my senior year, stoned out of my mind when I walked on the stage in the third act, and heard my Dad asking my mom "where is he, where is he..." as I started singing "Reviewing the Situation"...

I hope the second half passes more slowly. I'm doing things to try and make that happen though, and I hope they work...

I used to drive fifteen to twenty miles over the speed limit. Now, I drive the speed limit in town, to the mile, and five to eight over on the open road. You know what? I notice more when I have time to look around than I did when I had to concentrate on what slower vehicle might be in front of me.

The older I get, the more I love my life. I've never invented anything, never saved a bus full of people who were about to tumble over the edge of a cliff, but I think I've made a difference in some ways, for people less fortunate than me. For ten years, I taught Adult School classes in computer applications, and for a couple of those years, I worked as a Job Placement Counselor. It wasn't always easy, but I was successful in finding jobs for over 200 students in that time. Would that I could have done more, but I did my best.

So as I post this I'm 49, losing weight, and going to work on a Sunday which is also my Bday. I don't feel a year older, I feel a DAY older. My Step-Son took me and his mom, my wife, to dinner tonight, and we tipped the teppan cook and his waitress half of the bill. They were shocked. We were halfway across the parking lot on our way to my car when the teppan cook stepped outside and yelled THANKS! That made my day.

Okay, I'm done rambling. I'm at different times a nice guy, an ass, a political neophyte, a proud father, and a total loser. I'm going to bed now, and if you're interested, I'm going to bed with a smile. Not a rich guy, not a smart guy, and not necessarily intuitive... but happy. Happy, and 30lbs lighter than I was less than two months ago.

I love you guys and gals and would love to issue a blanket apology to all I've offended, but I know that doesn't work here. My past transgressions stick to me like a bad odor. Doesn't mean I don't love Democratic Undergound...

[Call Me Wesley]

1. Happy Birthday!

:toast: I hope you're having a wonderful day and countless more to come! :hi:

[old mark]

2. CP - Have a wonderful year, and a good decade - I found my personality really

well established in my 50's and I began enjoying my life as I never had before. It is still that way as I move toward 63, actually better than ever.

It still amazes me that I remember things from when I was 3 or so,it still seems like it is all going by too fast, and it still seems like I am the same person, just a little slower...and I still have terrible dreams about being in high school - what a fucking trauma that was!!! Thank god they don't take old people!!!

:toast: :toast: :toast: :toast: :toast:
:toast: :toast: :toast: :toast: :toast:
:bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:
:bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:
:fistbump: :fistbump: :fistbump: :fistbump: :fistbump:
:fistbump: :fistbump: :fistbump: :fistbump: :fistbump:
:yourock:

Have a great 50's!!!

mark

[Tuesday Afternoon]

3. Happy Birthday cherokeeprogressive !!

:toast:

[nuxvomica]

4. Happy Birthday!

It sounds like 49 years well spent.
:party:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

5. My dear cherokeeprogressive!

What a wonderful, insightful post!

I think you're poised for a terrific ride in the rest of your life.

I remember turning 50; I felt as though I'd climbed Everest without oxygen. It was a moment to take stock and consider where I was going...

As if.

So much has happened since then that if anyone had told me all this was going to happen, I would have said they were crazy. It's been one hell of a ride, and it ain't over yet!

Being generous is a wonderful way to grow older...Good on ya!

Have a terrific birthday, sweetie!

:hug:

[tango-tee]

6. Here it is - it's Sunday - your birthday!

Happy, happy birthday dear friend! And - as old stoners are wont to say - keep on truckin'!

Wishing you and your loved ones so many more happy years together.

In friendship,

t-t

[bikebloke]

7. After 50, you have the option to count backwards.

I'm 46 again. Just remember to opt for the reverse count before your next birthday.

[MiddleFingerMom]

8. From your Subject line, I thought I was gonna have to come in here and respond, "Hush, Child!"...

.
...as most people take occasions like these to bemoan how "old"
they are, only to find you articulating one of the healthiest attitudes
about personal chronology that I've ever experienced.
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Congratulations on your birthday. Congratulations on your enlightenment.
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OK... "serious" break's over. Back to doing what I do best.
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Happy Birthday!!! I hope I didn't skimp on these.
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[seabeyond]

9. happy bday

i hear ya...

and

you can have differing views and that is all it is... for some duers

[lunatica]

10. You're about to go into your best decade yet!

It really and truly gets better and better. You're going to discover the secret that all those 'old' people share. It's great to be older!! I wouldn't trade my age for anything (I'm 61 and enjoying life more each day)

[hippywife]

11. Happy Birthday from the south side of 50.

Congrats on the weight loss, too. :hi:

(Or maybe it's the north side. I can't ever remember which.)