Dear Denise

Dear Readers,

There are three things that you need to know about this BLOG.  It would not exist if I didn’t have Roger (my computer guru) “saving my bacon,” as he did this morning.  Thanks, Roger.

The second thing is that I am pleased to include a poem from my youngest grand, Lillian.  Her dad (I’m proud to say, my son-in-law) turned sixty on Monday.  This is her poem for him.

And, third.  My friend, teacher, and writing mentor, Denise, is personally hitting this sixty milestone.  She asked for thoughts about it; so I wrote to her.

And, I thought you might want to see some of Larry’s flowers.  It is August, so the yellows are showing.

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Dear Denise,

I remember when my next major birthday was to be 60.  It seemed to me that each evening when I approached my house, there was a gigantic sign fashioned atop my house flashing in bright neon lights – 60!  60!  60!  Because I was still working at a 9-5, away from the house job at that age, I still went to work and saw this light display, every evening..

Then, I got through that birthday and along came 65.  I did not have the same sensations for 65 that I had for 60.  No more neon lights.  Just a roof top, sometimes with snow – which I love.

Now, my last milestone was 84.  I had my usual birthday party, inviting friends and relatives  to have dinner at Los Portales Mexican Food Restaurant.  Twenty-four attended, and, as I said in a previous BLOG, “a good time was had by all.”  These are people who see each other once a year for the birthday party, enjoy each others’ company for a couple of hours, and promise to see each other,”next year.”  This year, we were missing three of our birthday friends, but we added several new adults and two very charming children to the group.  The children, both in elementary school, told me they had a great time with the old people – everybody else was pretty old!  We also had Annabel, a black lab who is learning to be a help to someone who has returned from the military with PTSD.  Or, some other person needing assistance.

My youngest daughter Jill is here.  Her goal is to help her mother get some organizing done for “end-of-life” planning.  At this age of 84, it is probably a good idea to “get things in order.”  Although I plan to live a good long while, yet, this is a necessary process.  Going through this process, although necessary, is somewhat discomforting; at the same time, there is satisfaction knowing the the daughters will be dealing with organization and not confusion.

However, I still have much to do.  Living for 84 years, one collects a lot of stuff.  Some of it is just stuff.  Some of it is important stuff.  I was sitting in what I call the TV room, looking at my collection of children’s books, and IT HIT ME – I HAVE TOO MANY BOOKS – WAY TOO MANY BOOKS.  When I told this to my sister (four years younger than I), she said that revelation of mine almost made her fall off of her chair.  She could not believe that I would:  1) ever admit to having too many books; and, 2) even talk about where they should go.  But, that is where I am, right now.

Another collection that needs serious thinning is my collection of Westmoreland Glass.  Boxes of glass that have not been seen for many years.  Cupboards and cupboards of glass that must find a new home.  For example, I DO NOT NEED five (count ’em – five) Westmoreland punch bowl sets.  Large punchbowls with twelve cups each.  Again, they have never seen a party table.  They really do need to go.

Something about the glass, however, needs to be understood.  Our younger folks do not have the same appreciation of these antiques that people of my generation have.  I do believe that my own children and grandchildren do have an appreciation for the finer antiques of which I have many.  And, probably, other younger people don’t have space in their living quarters to keep such collections.  So, where can they go?  I will be talking with a good friend who is an expert in these things, next week.  Maybe, she will give me some ides where they might serve some purpose.

Now, those are all of the things that I think I must find places for, at this time.  At the same time, there are so many things that I currently do and want to continue doing.  First and foremost, I want to continue writing.  And, Denise, I’ll be taking your publishing class at the end of this month.  I honestly believe that I am a good writer, and I really do want to be a published author – and, I’m not talking about self-publishing, either – I could do that.  I have written pieces for a friend who is putting together an anthology of western writers; it will publish in September, she thinks.  I have so many children’s stories (you have seen many of them).  And, I have many more in my head to write.  The BLOG has been a joy,  and it really keeps my on my toes by publishing each Wednesday (in fact, this e-mail may become a blog).

I’m thinking that if I can clear up some of the clutter that now exists in my home, I may find the time necessary to do more writing.  That is, actually, my sincere prayer – and, I do mean, prayer!  All of this hopeful planning does not, I fear, keep me from mourning the results that will occur when the give-away work is done.

I am looking forward to seeing you the last Saturday of the  month.  I really like these thought-provoking ideas of yours.  Please keep them coming.

As far as being 60 is concerned, just consider this the beginning of the second half of your life and keep going.

Best,
M

 

Getting Older

Getting older
It’s such an interesting thing
Your hands are a little colder
Your ears begin to ring

Your bones start to ache
Your joints even more
Your head is a weight
And your muscles are sore

You start to forget stuff
And your back is bent over
Your skin loses its puff
And your height gets even lower

But you still can go hiking
Or out for a run
You also go biking
And walk in the sun

You kayak or canoe
Through a river or lake
You try something new
And eat some more cake

The wisdom you gained
Throughout your whole life
Well-kept and maintained
Will save your kids strife

So congrats on getting older
I hope that you’re glad
I’ll pat you on your shoulder
And say “Happy birthday, Dad!”

Lillian R. Williams    Age 17 (almost)