“Time flies whenever one is busy and having fun.”
It’s a familiar comment with truthfulness. Yet, even more strikingly in maturity is the question: “Where has all the time gone.”
With another candle on the cake, thoughts of days and now years gone by are revisited.
Years one to four are unmemorable other than photos, but times forward are joyfully reflected.
What’s so amazing is how incomprehensibly great the seven decades plus have been.
Earliest childhood fascinations without exception have come to reality and far beyond. Being a cowboy was always the most important objective.
Of course, cowboy has various meanings, and not “the best,” whatever that means, personal goal has been most satisfyingly met.
Wearing boots, jeans, hat, and riding a horse everyday qualifies this definition of being a cowboy.
Along the way there’s been carrying groceries, education, friendships, career, ranching, writing stories, and most importantly family.
With maturity the one thing that stands out above anything else is how little can be completely understood.
When a teenager, everything was known about everything. Today nothing is really known about anything.
Yet with becoming old hopefully has been increased wisdom. Danny Webster says wisdom is “quality and soundness of action based on experience, knowledge, principles, and ‘good’ judgement.”
Certainly older, lifetime record of incalculable mistakes should make any cowboy a tiny bit wiser?
“The ten years between 25 and 35 are far shorter than the four years between 14 and 18,” somebody said. Time travels at the same speed as it always has but seems to race faster in maturity.
Uncountable the mentors, heroes, heroines, cowboys, cowgirls, coworkers, and family who are now most deservingly acknowledged and heartfelt appreciated.
Always serious about life’s endeavors, now foregoing seriousness somewhat in anticipating a celebration with Dolly Parton.
A radio co-worker’s Dolly cardboard statuette gift is displayed on the ranch office desk. She’s prettier, richer, older, and other assets, so giving her a “Happy Birthday” call.
Another year older deeper in debt, don’t look or get around like a kid, but still think and feel the best ever.
Following some old folks’ advice: “Don’t worry about yesterday or tomorrow, live today to the fullest.”
Reminded of Isaiah 65:18: “No more old people who don’t enjoy a full lifetime. Anything less than 100th birthday will be missing too much.”
+++ALLELUIA+++
XVII–3–1-15-2023