It's hard to believe it, but now it's official.
I've reached an important milestone today:
I am now a septuagenarian.
I can't help saying, "Hip hip hooray!"

It's not that being this old is so great,
But what I mean--and that's no jive--
Is how it beats the alternative.
Although I'm older, I'm still alive!

Alive and well; so far, so good.
I'm not ready to take my last bow,
Kick the bucket, or give up the ghost.
What is important? To live in the now.

Many friends and relatives didn't
Make it this far, which is sad.
Our times together make up some of
The fondest memories that I've had.

Life with all its exigencies
Can at times be overly demanding.
But knowing that life is impermanent
Is vital to our understanding.

Our bodies are like a river or stream--
Constantly flowing, constantly changing.
And, yes, when we advance in years,
We often need some rearranging.

Sixty was nice, but frankly the word
"Seventy" gently rolls off the tongue.
There are languages still to be learned,
Books to be read, songs to be sung.

I've been lucky all these years.
No, I really can't complain.
I'm ready to make a toast to life,
So pop the cork and pour the champagne!

-by Bob B (8-15-49)