Three Score Years and Ten
Today, I become 70. Well, that’s the easy years over. Now bring on the next chapter!….
“The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away…So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.”
Psalm 90 (10 &12)
7 decades - 840 months - 3,652 weeks - 25,568 days - 613,632 hours - 36,817,920 minutes - 2,209,075,200 seconds….
Doesn’t sound much when you put it like that. I’m so superstitious - terrified of hitting the ‘publish’ button on this until 5.50 pm this evening - the time I apparently entered this world, in a hospital in Consett, Co Durham that isn’t even there now. So at least I’ve survived longer than the birthing unit. And indeed most of what was that dirty old town in 1956. No blue plaques going up there. And anyway, another product of that bygone place - Rowan Atkinson - would get his before me. Me and Mr Bean, gadzooks!
I’ll thank my mother at this stage, bless her soul. Lest I forget my manners as I ramble on. And my dad of course. And my therapist. And Mr Karim, who removed my cancerous prostate. And my current wife, for trying to understand me. And of course, everyone else for even talking to me.
‘Let us number our days…’
And as the bible instructs, if the Psalmists meant it this way, I tell myself to just be thankful from herein, daily. Thankful that I have been given the opportunity to enjoy another day.
‘…Apply our hearts to wisdom’
Well I’ll try at least. I’ve learnt a lot over the last…840 months. Forgotten most of it however. But I cherish what remains and I’m happy to share it with you, should you ever ask. However, you never stop learning and I will apply myself to seeking such opportunities, wherever we travel to.
“I am not old, - I cannot be old, Though threescore years and ten
Have wasted away, like a tale that is told, The lives of other men: I am not old; though friends and foes
Alike have gone to their graves,
And left me alone to my joys or my woes, As a rock in the midst of the waves.”
(Martin Farquhar Tupper)
Where to from here?…
Mrs H. wants this to be a whole year of birthday adventures, not just today. Why not? Body, mind and bank account permitting, that’s the way to stay young, in my humble opinion. When one of them runs out, we’ll review the situation. But until then, let’s keep pushing that boat out.
I coined this mantra years ago, but it still holds true. Feel free to apply this to your own life too:
So far to go So much to see But if Kublai Khan Then so can we!
Thankyou, for reading, and being part of my life so far 😊 ❤️