Let us never know what old age is. Let us know the happiness time brings, not count the years. ~Ausonius
I just had a birthday. They have a way of coming around faster than they used to. When I was waiting to finally be a teenager, the year seemed to go on and on. I’m long past the teenager years. Going quickly to ancient years in the eyes of teenagers, for sure.
“A young boy called his grandmother to wish her Happy Birthday. He asked her how old she was and when she told him ‘67,’ he was quiet for a long moment before he asked, ‘Did you start at 1?’”
We all do start at one, but then we are fortunate to keep adding more numbers on.
Of course, I know how old I am. Well, I know when I was born. I don’t like doing the math, so I usually just ballpark it. (Unknown source)
It would be easier to remember your age if you didn’t change it every year. (Anonymous)
Yesterday I was gifted with another chance to take a trip around the sun.
A birthday is just the first day of another 365-day journey around the sun. Enjoy the trip! (Author Unknown)
The picture is me with my sister when I was too little to even think about my age. I’m not sure how old I might have been in the picture. Maybe two. But I feel certain I wasn’t a bit concerned with counting my years.
Counted or not, years do pile up and increase that age number if you are fortunate enough to keep having them. The best thing to do is enjoy the trip and keep smiling about getting older. If there is one kind of wrinkles you want to have as you add on the years, it’s smile wrinkles.
Wrinkles should merely indicate where smiles have been. – Mark Twain
Here are some more quotes about getting older that I’ve collected through the years. Some of them might increase your smile wrinkles.
~Old age is always 15 years older than I am. – Oliver Wendell Holmes
~Don’t let aging get you down. It’s too hard to get back up. – J Wagner
~Birthdays are good for you. Statistics show that the people who have the most live the longest. –Larry Lorenzoni
~Those who love deeply never grow old; they may die of old age, but they die young. – Dorothy Canfield Fisher
~When I was younger, I could remember anything, whether it had happened or not; but my faculties are decaying now and soon I shall be so I cannot remember any but the things that never happened. It is sad to go to pieces like this but we all have to do it. ~Mark Twain
~Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming “Wow! What a Ride!” – Hunter S. Thompson
We all want to run our courses with energy and with joy. I think the Lord is all for that too as we run down the roads He points us toward and slide through the doors of opportunity He opens for us. Rejoice is a word you see often in the Bible.
So it’s fun to rejoice in a birthday and the blessing of a new year to count. Here’s one last quote that seems to sum up the best way to think about your age.
~The other day a man asked me what I thought was the best time of life. “Why,” I answered without a thought, “now.” (David Grayson)
How do you feel about birthdays? Do you enjoy yours as much as you do those of your family or friends?
(In case you’re wondering about the picture not exactly looking like an old picture normally looks –fuzzy and not very clear — I sharpened this one with a photo editing program.)
Comments 18
I like birthdays! One of my best birthdays was a few years ago, when 15 friends and I went out to eat!! It was a blast!!
Author
That does sound like a great way to celebrate, Trudy. Friends nearly always make a day brighter.
“Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming “Wow! What a Ride!” – Hunter S. Thompson”
I liked this quote the best. Certainly got a smile from me.
To YOU and everyone out there — whenever your birthday is — ENJOY IT TO THE FULLEST NO MATTER THE CIRCUMSTANCES. Yes, I am older but that’s ok and I lighting my candles!!
Author
Love it, Loretta. Let’s be glad for every one of those candles and let them light our way to a new year coming our way with more good things waiting.
Enjoy every day and year, Ann.
Author
Thank you, Diana. I appreciate your sweet birthday wishes.
Happy Birthday month! My birthday is September 25th. My Mama always said that she wouldn’t be old until she turned 100 years. She didn’t make it to that age. But, her enthusiasm and encouragement continue to comfort me. Have a blessed day! 🙂
Author
My mom wanted to make it to 100, Melissa. I thought maybe she would but then dementia messed up those last years and she passed on at 94. But I think I’ll borrow your mom’s attitude and refuse to be old until I reach three digits. 🙂
Happy almost birthday to you!
Happy Birthday, Ann! Mine is coming up in November and I’ll be 80. It’s been a great “ride” and I intend to keep riding as long as the Lord allows. He knows the number of my days, so I’m not worried about it! (My Daddy loved to almost 103, so I have good genes on my side. ☺️)
Author
I’m with you, Judi. Let’s just keep on keeping on having a good time living and enjoying the “ride.” And I think you do have a good chance of riding a good while longer. Maybe you’ll make it to 105!
What a nice post. Love the quotes. At my age, I absolutely need to take several of them to heart🙃
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I think you’re pretty good at enjoying life and getting the most out of your days, Chris. Glad you enjoyed the quotes.
Happy belated birthday. I really enjoyed the picture and all the quotes on aging.
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Thanks for the birthday wishes, Sharon. I’m glad you enjoyed the quotes and my toddler picture. I was sort of cute back then. I’m wondering if I should cut my hair like that again. Think I’d look cute all over again? LOL.
I love birthdays. Mine and everyone else’s. Happy Birthday belatedly, Ann!
Author
Birthdays are such fun, Lee. Even when you don’t do anything particularly special. It’s good to pause and be grateful for life. I did have a nice dinner with my oldest son and his wife and my oldest granddaughter. And my kids called me and nearly all my grandchildren as well. I think their parents probably poked them with a reminder. LOL.
Happy belated birthday and wishes sent for many more! That’s a great job on the photo editing.
Author
I was Chat something, Kris. So, AI. I don’t like using that much and don’t with my writing, but I had to like the way it transformed this old picture. I think my little girl hand isn’t quite right in the redone picture, but the faces are so clear and nice.
Thanks for the birthday wishes.