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Sunday, February 3, 2013

When I’m 64 . . .

Beatrice bday hatWOW, 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, Mom-Dorothy (1)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 eachbest friends (6) 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).Pat-Dorothy2Best of all, I am still on the Magical Mystery Tour  of life and enjoying myself — it’s a great wonderful road trip !

Dorothy (Beatrice)

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

Like a fine rare wine, you just get better and better with age.
Your Loving Grenville (now can we go eat???)

Debby said...

Happy Birthday. I will have to remember that song for my husband when he turns 64 next year. You have a great attitude about age. We have to be thankful for every year. Have a great day. I will think of you as I watch the Super Bowl.

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday Beatrice!

I love that Beatles song and have ever since I first heard it when I was a kid :-)

Have a great day!
Christer.

Montanagirl said...

Yes, isn't life grand??? Getting older is a privilege not granted to some (like my great-nephew, Cole, who died in a car accident at 19). I'm 65 and on Medicare - and enjoying every minute of it! Happy Birthday!!

DeniseinVA said...

Awwwwwww, Happy, Happy Birthday dear Dorothy (aka Beatrice). Your post is a sweet reminder to be thankful for what we have in life, especially for our dear partners who bring us so much joy. Enjoy your day :)

Cicero Sings said...

Well Happy Birthday! 64 isn't very old at all. I'm turning 59 myself in another week ... even got a bit of a reduction on my house insurance because I'll turn 60 before next year's insurance comes due. There are some benefits.

I for one, believe in aging gracefully. I'm not one bit sorry to be getting old (except for the body aches) because I would not like to go back and do it all over again. Oh no. Once was enough for me.

D and I also believed that everyday was a celebration ... you've got the right idea! We weren't much on "gifts" because he just bought what we wanted when we wanted to ... within reason of course. Laugh.

Connie said...

Happy happy birthday, Dorothy! I hope you had a wonderful day. Dinner out sounds like a great way to celebrate to me. I remember that song. I've always liked that one. :D

Theotherjew said...

Happy Birthday and thanks for the great post. I will be catching up to you this year and will use those lyrics as a reminder of how good my life is and shall continue to be I suspect. You and Grenville are a great model of just regular people enjoying life and being aware of the good things you share.

Karen Lakis said...

Happy birthday! I remembered the tune of the song, but not the lyrics. I hope you had a wonderful day - and a lots of fun celebrating throughout the year!

Out on the prairie said...

Hope you had a very enjoyable day.When the song came out this did seem old, yet I feel so young.

Cheryl @ TFD said...

Happy Birthday! Hope you had a good day. I remember that song since I'm a couple of years past 64! I also remember my mother hating the Beatles and their longer hair and telling me that they were a bad example for all the young people. LOL! Was she right?

Elaine said...

I hope you had a wonderful birthday! It's a little bit of shock to hit the Medicare age, but once you're there you just accept where you are and continue to be thankful for all the blessings you have, especially the love of family and friends.

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday! Hope your dinner was delicious!

Rebecca said...

Happy Birthday. I still love Lee and he is past 64. We have a few years to see if the reciprocal is true.

NCmountainwoman said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

Many THANKS to all for the wonderful comments and very much appreciated birthday wishes. The dinner was delicious, especially better when no clean-up is involved on our part. We capped off the day by watching "An Affair to Remember" by candlelight. And the celebration will continue ALL this year!

Doris said...

Happy Belated Birthday wishes to you! I'm catching up on some blog reading this morning and see I missed a very important post....your day sounded grand =) May your year be one celebration after another!

Anvilcloud said...

I'm late to the party, but Happy Birthday anyway. We are getting up there, Beatrice.

Eggs In My Pocket said...

Happy Birthday! I love that song!

Leonora said...

Oh, Happy (Belated) Birthday Dorothy! I would NEVER have guessed you were turning 64! You have the most wonderful attitude about age which must be why you are forever young. Blessings to you throughout the coming year!

Claire M. King said...

Lovely post on your birthday. Hope you had a beautiful one!