Today I am 65 years old. I’m a mixed bag of emotions at 5:30 a.m. Somehow I remember when my mom turned 30. That was in December of 1970. I was 9. My, oh, my…life has flown by.
I shouldn’t be so shocked to be this age. I mean, AARP has been beckoning me since I turned 40. Also, in our mid 40’s, Chelle and I both were given senior discounts on our meals at Ryan’s restaurant in Anderson, Indiana. We certainly didn’t ask for it. Little by little the world has been preparing me for this day. Not to mention my body and how it works. Or, doesn’t.
I mentioned to D the other day how I feel I haven’t done anything in my life. I’m not even sure what done anything actually consists of.
I haven’t traveled the world. I’ve been to Italy. That’s the furthest I’ve been away from home. I would love to explore Italy more fully. But other than Italy there are only a couple of places outside of the U.S. I’d like to see with my own eyes.
My son, Jet, and his family just got home from Switzerland yesterday. It was a dream of mine to visit Switzerland in my 20’s. Jet gave me their itinerary so D and I decided to watch YouTube videos of the places they visited on each day. When I picked Jet and his family up from the airport, we chatted like we had taken the trip together and that was very fun.
I think I’d still like to see Switzerland with my own eyes though. What a fairy tale land. And Ireland too. But other than those three places, I’m good with staying in the U.S. and seeing all of our beautiful wonders here.
So what does done anything really mean? Well, honestly, I haven’t a clue.
D came home from work a couple of days after our conversation and he brought my comment again. He said I did a lot. I raised six children. I taught them at home so my days were filled with kids and how important that was. Yes, I agree.
My babies…
I have set some of my want-to-do’s aside, like…writing, playing the guitar and hammered dulcimer, and jewelry creating, while I work on some personal projects. Those projects consist of downsizing my possessions and painstakingly going through all my pictures and getting rid of the junk photos. This all to make life easier for my kids. You know, for…..later.
I’ve been learning a lot about myself as I downsize. Not only with the material things I deemed as important, but especially through my pictures. The screenshots I snapped of troubling conversations, food pics, the thousands on top of thousands of duplicates, the massive amount of blurry photos I shot while riding in a car, the meaningless photos of someone else’s cat, or cow, or the fifteen photos of a blue lizard at a zoo, etc., etc., etc. You get the picture. Delete.
But how wonderful it’s been to live again through the changes of my children over the years. Pictures have a way of grounding you. I can feel where I was in every one of them…as if it was yesterday.
I guess it was just yesterday.
I agree with D. My life has been full. Full of meaning because of my children. Maybe we didn’t get to do all that other families were doing at the time, like camping and traveling, but with my kids we always had a great time together. And I treasure every moment I’ve had with them.
One picture I came across was the one below from this past Christmas. None of those shoes would be here it wasn’t for me. I’m not bragging that it was all me, but you know what I’m saying.
Every pair of shoes represent a very special human who has added so much beauty to this world. I am so very blessed. Truly, I am.
Today, D has taken off work! He never takes a day off. I mean like…NEVER. He wants to make this day special since he says it’s a milestone birthday. I don’t think he realizes that he, himself, is a gift to me. ♥️
So…Hello to 65!
Welcome to Medicare and some awesome benefits like free admission to fitness centers and the YMCA. Woooohooo!
I love my family and the life we have together…the greatest of all gifts. The blessings of a life well lived.
♥️
Andi
Coffee with Andi 
This was such a heartfelt and meaningful read. A life filled with faith, family, sacrifice, and love is never a life that “hasn’t done anything.” Happy Birthday and thank you for sharing this beautiful perspective.
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Thank you so much for reading my post and for your kind comment. I appreciate your words. I had a truly wonderful birthday yesterday and it shall continue into today with a family cookout.
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I thoroughly enjoyed this read Andi.
also, your selflessness really shines in this piece of writing and I am inspired. and the way you ended it; the blessings of a life well-lived, that really gets to the heart of it all in the best way. there are people that have obtained the world but still can’t find fulfillment. by grounding yourself in what matters, you have travelled further and with more depth through the greatest vacation destination of all – life. please enjoy this very special birthday with D. Mike
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Thank you so much, Michael, for your very kind words! I had a wonderful birthday yesterday. Lots of laughter for sure. Today, half of my family will be here for a cookout. I cannot wait for the day to start. Thank you for the birthday wishes!
I must share with you that I was married to a Michael Williams for over 21 years. Yes, I was Andi Williams for large portion of my life. I would get requests to sing. (You know, Andy Williams! 😊) But when that marriage ended 13 years ago and I took my maiden name back, and now I’m remarried.
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wow that’s quite a coincidence! 😀 well, for what it’s worth, i like Andy Williams songs so now you know I’m going to be playing that music through the weekend hehe!
speaking of the weekend, do enjoy yours with the family!
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Moon River and the Theme to the Love Story! A couple of my personal favorites. 😃 Hope your weekend is good as well!
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Michael, on another note. I just read your Memorial Day post and I cannot “like” it. Your blog seems to be set up differently than mine and I’m not sure how to use it. Any help would be appreciated. You are an awesome writer.
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Hi Andi,
oh my gosh, i have been having so much trouble with my site i can’t even tell you. ive changed so many settings and it seems that different settings change allowances for different people. i will change some settings around today, but thank you very much for your visit – as you know Memorial Day can be really emotional for alot of people and it’s an honor for me to commemorate it.!
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I am very patriotic and I do love these holidays that honor our country, veterans and those who still serve. My family and I had a pyrotechnic business so that’s how we spent our Fourths. Doing displays for towns, cities, and communities in several states.
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that’s awesome! i hope you’ll have pictures of the upcoming 250th celebration – to many people like ourselves, this means something; especially given how bothersome the “anti” crowd has been. i have a post coming up on that but i’ll save it for sometime in June
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We sold the business many years ago but my oldest still manages the area we had. I retired from pyrotechnics as it’s hard work with long days that run into the middle of the night and it is usually very hot. It was many years before I could actually watch fireworks. I still have trouble. When the show would begin, I was on the ground in the middle of it all as a spotter as I watched my family hand lite the fireworks. It was exciting yet very scary. So I am still trying to get over that. I observe the timing and watch for mishaps. It’s just not quite enjoyable for me yet. But I love the holiday. 🇺🇸
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Happy Happy Happy Birthday!
Once you go through the pictures and see everything you’ve done and everyone you have been with met up with or helped you see how full your life has been.
I put totes together and as I went through things and I came across something that belonged to Courtney or Nicole or Eric I put it in a bin for them. This way when I’m gone they don’t have to sort pictures, report cards, cute art work they drew in school or cards they gave me over the years they will have it. Now whether or not they keep it and cherish it as I have over the years is another story. LOL
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Pictures are worth more than a thousand words! They are so full of feelings and emotions. I have totes for my kids too!
Thank you, Denise! I had a wonderful birthday yesterday. We have having a cookout today. ♥️
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You look beautiful on your birthday! Love these words from your blog — “Pictures have a way of grounding you. I can feel where I was in every one of them…as if it was yesterday.” Our memories and our photographs can bring so much pleasure. Enjoy the day!
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Thank you so much! I had a wonderful day. 😊 I am glad some of my words touched you. Photos are such treasures. I appreciate that you read my post. Thank you so very much!
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I appreciate you reading my words, too!
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Happy belated birthday Andi! I am eager to turn 65 this September.
Thinking of you,
Karen
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Awww! Thank you, Karen! So nice to hear from you! I hope you are doing well. 💕
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