When I’m 64 . . .

WOW, OH MY GOSH — that’s me !

It was so nice of the NFL to hold the BIG game on MY special day (even if I am not planning to watch it.).

WHAT, you don’t really think they planned it that way???

Humor me because I’m getting older, but not TOO old.  However, being a year closer to Medicare is a bit daunting, even to someone young-at-heart.

CELEBRATIONS ?  I’m planning to celebrate the entire year. Grenville surprised me with a totally unexpected gift especially since we have cut out gift exchanges for holidays and birthdays (more on that surprise later). Sharing our life together is a gift enough and priceless too. Besides, we have enough stuff already. We’re going out for dinner at a favorite (local) Chinese restaurant, one that serves sushi, which Grenville really enjoys — I think he’s happy too for my birthday !

NO, I won’t go around singing (or even humming) When I’m Sixty-Four popularized by the Beatles on their 1967 Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album. (Do they still call them albums?)

Paul McCartney wrote these simple verses in the  1950s when he was in his mid-teens, although it wasn’t recorded until years later. Coincidentally, it was released the year his own father turned 64. McCartney’s original idea was to write a love song ballad, not a rock and roll song. The song was initially more popular with parents of Beatles fans. Now, original fans are at least that old, and each one has a personal answer to the singer's questions.

This is for everyone who might remember it — or forgotten the lyrics:

When I get older losing my hair,
Many years from now.
Will you still be sending me a valentine
Birthday greetings bottle of wine.

If I'd been out till quarter to three
Would you lock the door,
Will you still need me, will you still feed me,
When I'm sixty-four.

You'll be older too,
And if you say the word,
I could stay with you.

I could be handy, mending a fuse
When your lights have gone.
You can knit a sweater by the fireside
Sunday mornings go for a ride.

Doing the garden, digging the weeds,
Who could ask for more.
Will you still need me, will you still feed me,
When I'm sixty-four.

Every summer we can rent a cottage,
In the Isle of Wight, if it's not too dear
We shall scrimp and save
Grandchildren on your knee
Vera, Chuck & Dave

Send me a postcard, drop me a line,
Stating point of view
Indicate precisely what you mean to say
Yours sincerely, wasting away

Give me your answer, fill in a form
Mine for evermore
Will you still need me, will you still feed me,
When I'm sixty-four.

NOW, that I have attained that same age, I am thankful for each and every day, to be loved by family and friends, to be content in life. MOST especially I am thankful for the love, support and companionship of my best friend and partner, Pat (known as Grenville and some favorite nicknames).Best of all, I am still on the Magical Mystery Tour  of life and enjoying myself — it’s a great wonderful road trip !

Dorothy (Beatrice)