Almost my birthday

I wouldn’t mention this before my birthday were it not because I’m turning 60. It’s a big milestone birthday, at least somewhat anticlimactic because I have been a member of AARP since age 55 and don’t retire till 67. I’m already eccentric. I’m now officially old enough to be my students’ grandmother.

But I don’t feel that old.

I feel slower. Despite my intense weekend of book production, I feel like my life has slowed down. I take breaks. I sometimes do nothing, not even read. Sometimes I binge on TikTok, about the laziest thing a person can do. But I’m not rushing about making things happen. Usually.

I think getting old would be different if I weren’t in a fortunate marriage. Or maybe it wouldn’t be different at all. Perhaps single me at 60 would be happily traveling on my own to writing retreats.

I really don’t feel old.