Today is my 72nd birthday. I have many things to be thankful for….. good health, a wonderful, loving wife, two great kids, two beautiful granddaughters and financial security. Still, it is hard not to be retrospective on an occasion like this.
Not too many decades ago, my age was considered to be a good ways past life expectancy. But if you knew my family history, you would know how that is shockingly true for me even today. The men in my family seem to drop like flies. To give you some perspective on that, here is a synopsis of the number of years I have outlived the men in my modestly small family.
My maternal grandfather – by 34 years (died at 38)
My paternal grandfather – by 28 years (died at 42)
My father – by 28 years – by 28 years (died at 44)
My uncle (my father’s only sibling) – by 13 years (died at 59)
My brother (my only sibling) – by 3 years (died at 69)
On the other side of the ledger, the women in my family seem to go on forever.
My mother lived to age 87
My maternal grandmother lived to age 87
My paternal grandmother lived to age 92
My paternal great grandmother lived to age 99.
When you see the statistics showing that women generally outlive men by several years, you can thank my family for their profound input to that ledger.
Anyway, you can see why I am so grateful for the full and blessed life I have had. Each day is truly is a gift, as they say. So on this, my birthday, I want to thank all my readers for sharing a part of my life with me and ask you, no, implore you, to join me in celebrating the gift we have all been granted today!
Not bad for 72 , eh?
The Cvillean 
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Oops! I’m a little late!!! Trying to catch up is taking longer than expected!
It’s nearly your seventy threeth birthday now!!
I think you must secretly be a woman 😉
I see you’ve been working out for the pickle ball championship. 😉 Happy birthday, though a tad late. Glad we have you around a bit longer.
And after I win the PB crown, I’ll be heading to the over 70 weightlifting World Championship event.
Happy Birthday! Most 40-year-old men don’t look that good!
That’s not really me, but thanks for taking part in my fantasy. And thanks for visiting.
But of course!
Happy Birthday Al! 🙂
The RHS northwest contingent welcomes you to the 72 club. (my wife and I “turned” in March. Marcia’s was just last week. Frankly I’m amazed to have made it this far as well
Thanks, Steve. I’m honored to be the “baby” of the group.
Okay, Al, I’m all for the tall, dark, and hunk-a-hunk-a-burnin-love look (have you seen Phil?), but I have seven words of advice for you, my friend (based on those family history stats): GET IN TOUCH WITH YOUR FEMININE SIDE!
I’m just thinking of the next 20 years or so. I want you around so you can keep me on my blogging toes–totally selfish, I know. But, hey, what are friends for?
Happy Birthday, Beef Cakes! 🙂 ❤
OK. So this is two months late. Somehow I neglected to answer this comment. As my “about” page says, I promise to answer each and every comment! To respond to your suggestion…..I tried that once, but I could never get the hang of walking in high heels.
P.S. Sorry for missing this comment, you are one of my most loyal followers and a soul mate of sorts!
I don’t even remember what I said, but that’s okay, Al, I’m sure it was inappropriate and thoroughly missable. No problem. I know you have to keep me on the “down low” with all the other women-folk in your life. 😉
You look great for an old geezer. David has outlived both of his parents. I passed Mom 20 years ago, but have a way to go yet with my Dad. Good health to you and Patty in the years ahead.
Thank you, Dianne.
Many returns of the day Al…Happy Birthday XOXO
Thank you , Jeri. It feels good to be in such an exclusive club with all my Riverside friends.
Happy birthday, Al! You make 72 look like 42.
I just knew you would fall for that picture, Peg. You’re so easy.
What??? Mentally throwing All Fantasy in the trash and going back to standby: Mel Gibson Fantasy.
That was supposed to be Al Fantasy. Darn auto correct.
What has Mel got that I haven’t? OK, maybe looks, wealth, fame and a long rap sheet, but he can’t touch my repartee. But then again, who fantasizes about repartee?
Here’s to many more years of your lovely gentle humour and good fellowship.
Thanks again, my good friend.