Keith Richards Is Immortal

(and, if you are 50 or more, well, Keith and I need to come see you.)

I was told a long time ago, by my Grandmother, that when you hit 50, things just seem easier, or, have a good feel.

She, was in her late 80s, and I was in my mid 20s. I had no idea what she was talking about.

This year will mark my 57th revolution around the sun (Gosh, who would have ever thought?), and, ya, know, she was right. Let's see if I can explain this a little bit:

For, me, and from the multitudes I spoke with over the first 49 years, 364 days, life was an uphill ride, battle, flight, whatever, term you care to use, but, it was definitely up, and sweaty.

When I actually hit 50, I didn't think much about what she had said. My big concern was what to do with those damn mirrors. I gave them to my neighbors. (By 40, I had learned to shave in the shower without a mirror.)

(and, I always needed a mirror to trim my mustache. But, when I student-taught kindergarten, my students told me I looked better without it, so, it's gone, which brings me to make note here regarding the picture posted on Xomba. It's eight years old -- I look like hell now -- I need to get a current one posted -- I'll work on that. can you post more than one picture? That way you all can compare--pretty scary...)

But, as, I approach the 57th Revolution Mark, I, gotta, tell ya, the 50s are a breath of fresh air! The up and the sweat seems to vanish. I have become very comfortable with who I am, finally, in my 50s (Boy, I was worried about that for a long, long, time.)(and, because of my discomfort, I'd thought I'd end up a recluse, but, thankfully, it did not happen.)

All my personal-negatives have disappeared.

Egotistical? Maybe? I have to give a lot of credit to Portland State University, and Portland Community College for widening my spectrum-perception, for giving me the tools to include all the world around me, realizing who "the other" is, meaning other people, as I walk through life.

Egotistical? I'm sure I'd be more self-centered now, and probably a completely different person, certainly, more egotistical, had it not been for what I learned from those educational institutions.

I didn't do the college-trip until I turned 48. I was worried I'd have no skills in the new century, so I joined the school system for nine years -- actually I still have membership ---- the 10-yr B.A.!

Instead of looking in, which I think might be egotistical, I look out, and, every day, aim to add to the building of this century, and try to help create the future world, one that will work for everybody.

Do you think its still egotistical? I don't really know??

What was the question, again? :-)
________________________

Do you know what was on the piece of paper Yoko Ono handed John Lennon the first time they met?

It said a lot -- it said, BREATHE!

I still have 4 years to go (I'll be 46 in August) before I hit the big 5-0. I hope I'm as comfortable with myself as you seem to be -- and have acquired as much wisdom.

No, you're definitely not "egotistical" as far as I can tell. You're a pretty well grounded individual, it seems.

:)

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