What are you supposed to do at age 47?

[Mr. Botch]

I've thought about 47 a lot the last few days.

 

At 47, my band Puddlestone was still together, a great musical outlet and friend network. Old GF and I were still together, life was great. I was a nonsupervisory GS-13 with the Navy, easy job, traveled twice a month to either DC, Chicago, Phoenix, Monterey Bay, or Napa Valley on business. Healthy as could be.

 

I turned 0.5-century last Friday. GF was gone, band was long-gone, feet and knees shot, eyesight shot, and I was cleaning out my desk after 14 months of the most stressful, 60-70-hr week, thankless job of my life.

 

I expect things to get better in some ways, flying to Tucson Monday for a job interview, etc. I guess the thing that surprises me is I thought life would get more settled the older you get. For me, it hasn't settled yet...

[rasputin1963]

Well, hey Mr. Botch, Happy Belated Berfday to you, too!!!

 

And I wish you much health and happiness, as well, whatever that might be for you.

 

 

The Good Lord Giveth and the Good Lord Taketh Away.

[rjt]

Mr. Botch.... sounds like the 40's were (mostly) pretty good to you. Hopefully the 50s will be good too, one never knows. As an aside, most of the existentially anguished misinterpret the old Greek adage "Count no man happy until he is dead" to mean there is only happiness in death. It really means you don't know how anything and everything turned out until you are dead...because you don't know what the future holds.... but I digress. I take your example (especially about you feet, knees and eyesight) to reinforce the thought that time is of the essence. I recently semi-retired and will totally retire in another 40 months or so. Even though I no longer have as much spending money, I have time and fairly decent health. I think that is worth it. So whether you are 47 or 50, savor your time, it is your most precious asset. And good luck with turning your life around!!