Threescore and ten birthday mile marker

Threescore and ten is the birthday mile marker we celebrated for my wife last week.

We did it with just a small group of family and friends at the Houston Lake Country Club where the food and service were impeccable; hats off to the chef and waiting staff! And the special cake that Chris Vines made for us was as delicious as it was beautiful (I’ll bet my daughter in law can find some pictures of my bride and the cake to show you what I’m talking about). Go to facebook.com/VisitingAngelsofCentralGA/.

I have known this girl since she was just a teen ager in her freshman year of college at Wayne State University in Detroit; I had already begun my career as an automotive engineer when we first met. I remember the night I met her like it was yesterday and her smile is as captivating now as it was then. Maybe some would say “I robbed the cradle” (She was still in Jr High when I was in college) but I’d gladly do it again!

I know the calendar says she’s 70 but I swear she doesn’t look a day over 50. Yes, I’m prejudice but lots of other people say the same thing so I’m in good company. It’s because she takes such great care of herself as well as all of us under her care that the years have been so kind to her.

That’s part of the reason I hope and even expect that God will grant us many more years but none of us has that promise do we? In fact, Ps 90 says:

“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, I’m going to try to may every day from here on out a special one. Pastor Rick Warren , said in an interview “That life is like a set of railroad tracks; while they run parallel to each other, one represents joy and the other sorrow”. It has been so very true in our lives and I suspect yours as well. No one who lives to be our age is without sorrow. But the real art to living life well is to bask in and and celebrate the joyous moments while recognizing, but not being overwhelmed by life’s sorrows. Easier said than done but worth the effort as we walk through the years together.

Anyone who really knows my wife has been blessed by her in some way and me most of all. I can honestly say that after living with her for Two score and ten of those years. Thanks, Bess, for saying “YES” 50 years ago!

Thanks for reading “All About Seniors”…..see you next week.

PS If you’re wondering where else you’ve heard the familiar words,”Threescore and ten” it was in Macbeth by Shakespeare in 1606. No, I didn’t pay that much attention in English Lit; I came across it on the internet doing research for this column!

Bill Milby is a Director of Visiting Angels® of Central Georgia, a non-medical, living assistance service for seniors. If you have questions or comments about this column you can reach him at william.mercylink@gmail.com or search for us at https://www.facebook.com/VisitingAngelsofCentralGA/