Today, I proudly announce, I’ve landed upon an elevated plateau, the one labeled Age 90, the Big NINE O. I saw it coming, of course, but even that advanced warning didn’t diminish the grin-producing pleasure streaking through me as I awakened this morning. I’ve actually arrived! I know of no prizes given to those who hang around this planet for nine decades. Nevertheless, I consider it to be a minor accomplishment (not to mention a lucky one), something like back-flipping into a pool without a splash. I’m aging happily!
In the accompanying photo (taken in this morning’s sunshine), I’m seated in front of my version of one of Frank Stella’s works, one I painted some 30 years ago.
Aging, by its very nature, demands changes, and the latter half of life is lived on a downward slope. I’m okay with that. In fact, I’m still sliding downward with glee. To report that I’ve lost a lot during my advancing years is like reporting that leaves drop from trees as the days shorten. Nevertheless, I remain reasonably mobile. Nearly every day I set off for walks ranging from 30 to 60 minutes, The longer jaunts, over mildly uneven terrain, cover more than three miles, all this with minimal increases in my heart rate and little puffing.
I own no hearing aids and peer into most of each day with eyes uncovered by lenses. I do, however, don glasses at times while driving, or watching a movie, or when settling down with book or newspaper.
My good balance continues to keep me from stumbling, a fact that reminds me of my favorite contemporary essayist, Joseph Epstein (1). He, upon reaching 70, reported that he had begun to use the handrail when descending stairs. I’m a second-floor guy, and I usually head downward straight in the middle of the stairway, arms swinging. Admittedly, caution creeps in when I step down a staircase while packed together with others, say in a crowd surging out from a symphony concert. At those times, I skim a hand along a rail, just in case.
I haven’t, of course, escaped the inevitable decay. Examples are abundant and obvious. My joints show signs of rust. My memory has more holes than all the golf courses in Phoenix (even simple facts often refuse to come out of hiding when summoned), and my analytic skills, such as they once were, now lurk behind impenetrable barriers. All of this I’ve accepted with what I believe is the proper spirit.
In short, I’m extremely grateful for all that remains in working order, and most days I’m pleased as punch to be alive. Reasons abound. I’m fortunate to have a son and a daughter, both with families I love and admire. I have a small nucleus of friends, fewer than I would prefer, but nevertheless they too add color to my life. Existence continues to amaze me.
Even puttering with this blog gives me a sense of – I search for a word – fulfillment! Admittedly it takes more effort than my antiquated brain had imagined, but I find satisfaction while writing the little essays I serve up here. Writing actually does seem to stimulate my diminishing population of neurons, to keep them from dozing when I’m so engaged. For that reason, I shall continue essaying, and opining. I’ve revealed a selection of my adventures, along with some misadventures, (see one here). More are on the way. Stay tuned!
This photo was taken last summer. On the wall beyond the Stella painting is my version of one of Edvard Munch’s works.
I don’t intend to make this a photo gallery, but I just received the shot below. It was taken yesterday by my granddaughter, Megan, as we had breakfast together.
Happy Birthday Ken!
Thank you for your good wishes, and thanks to all others who sent their birthday greetings.
Happy birthday Ken. I worked with your very talented daughter Anne many years ago at Digitas … and she shared your blog post today on LinkedIn. Hope you are enjoying your milestone birthday and have fun plans to celebrate with family & friends.
So good to hear from you, Andrea. I appreciate your greetings. It has been a great day so far. Anne has mentioned you to me a number of times, so I recognized your name.
Happy Birthday! Loved reading your blog. Have a great day with your family and embrace moment.
Thank you for your wishes. So glad you like my blog.
Happy birthday Ken. You are an inspiration to all of us. Just getting to 90 is an accomplishment but to get there as full of life as you are is truly reason to celebrate. Keep your interesting and entertaining stories coming.
Thank you, Paul. You’re some years behind me, but just keep doing what you’re doing, and you’ll likely hit 90 at full speed.
Happy Birthday! Definitely a milestone birthday. Every day is a gift, and I think you are quite aware of this. Keep walking, keep writing. Both will keep you young at heart.
Great advice, Nancy. I plan to do both.
Happy Birthday Ken! Wishing you many more years of great health and happiness. Your Friends the Scarpelli’s
Thank you Victor. My best to you and Mike. I wish your dad was still here so he and I could reminisce about all the good times we had together. He was such a wonderful friend, as I described in my earlier post, Tribute to a Friendship.
Happy Birthday to you! Inspired by your post and how you are living life! Cheers!
I’m so pleased to receive your wishes, Tiffanie. Thank you!
Ken, Happy Birthday. I think you have already received the best birthday gift of all, fresh air and the cognitive and physical abilities to enjoy it. Wishing you many more happy and healthy birthdays.
Thank you very much, Marty. It’s always good to hear from you. My best wishes to you as well.
Congratulations!!!
Thank you!!!
Ken! Happy Birthday and congrats on 90 years on this planet! I am so fortunate to know Anne, John and the girls – as friends, neighbors and jokesters. Seeing your photos reminds me of Anne’s amazing light and glow (which I think she’s mostly unaware of). What an inspiration to read a bit about your current perspective. Look forward to reading more!
I’m delighted that you know Anne and her family, of which I’m so proud. And thanks for reading my blog.
Happiest of birthdays!
Thank you, Katie. It has been a great day.
Happy birthday to Anne’s handsome dad! Wow, I need to know all your secrets so that I can start applying them to my life to live a healthy and happy one! God bless you and wish you a beautiful and healthy year.
Sandie Lange
Married to Greg Lange, John Leroux’s first cousin.
Wonderful comments, Sandie. Thank you!
Happy 90 years Ken and congrats on this blog! Cheers to many more good and healthy years ahead! Renny
Thank you so much Renny, and thanks for being such a wonderful friend of Anne’s.
Happy Birthday, Ken! Your daughter Anne has made a lasting impact on my life as a writer and woman. She was such a help on my first go at writing a children’s book. I am grateful for her presence in my world. Thank you for raising such a kind, world-changing person. Cheers to many more spins around the sun. I adore your artwork and look forward to reading many of your posts ahead.
Cheers!
Cat
Thanks, Cat. Anne has told me about your book, and she was most complimentary about you.
This is beautiful.. captivating.. and you are an inspiration.
Thank you, Cheryl. Such a lovely comment.
Now we know where Anne gets it 🙂 Congrats on this amazing milestone. Just keep writing.
Thank you, Dana. Anne will love your comment. I’ll keep writing as long as the neurons keep firing.
Happy Birthday, Ken – We are sending a big hug your way from Louisville, KY! I hope you treated yourself to a Manhattan today to toast to such a special day. Your post about your time in Madrid was priceless…and timeless. Thanks for sharing! Love, the Crafts
Thank you, Craft family. Yes, I celebrated with a Manhattan, and was surprised to see daughter Anne suddenly appear completely unexpected at a celebratory dinner. Miracles never cease!
Amazing and inspiring attitude!
Thank you, Colleen.
My father John turned 90 eleven months ago. He wrote his memoir in his late 80s…but he’s not as cool as you with a blog! Keep enjoying your ride on the downward slope—I can see you have a zest for life! Happy birthday! —Sharon (friend of Amy Leroux Craft)
Many thanks for your comments, Sharon. I’m so glad you’ve explored many of my posts.
Happy Birthday Mr Goetz. I worked with Anne at Draft years ago—around the time you wrote your first book! She was rightly proud, and I was (and continue to be) impressed.
Thank you, Laura. I’ll pass your comment along to Anne, who magically arrived just before dinner today, after stealthily flying down from Chicago and magically appearing just as we were about to order.
Happy Birthday, Ken!! Anne has been one of my very dearest friends in my life – and perhaps I should owe that friendship partly to you. 🙂 She has spoken so highly of you – of your tenacity in tackling all things in life – I believe Anne (Goety) has followed suit quite successfully in that capacity too. I wish you nothing but good feelings, good health, contentment, and good cheer – HAPPY BIRTHDAY and CHEERS TO YOU!!! Lots of love from Amy Kirkpatrick and family (Rory, Ben, Betsy, and Annie too) 🙂
It was so good to hear from you, Amy. Anne has spoken often of you, and most highly, so your message was a special treat. Warm wishes to you and the family.
Ken. Happy belated. Glad I was introduced to your blog. Admire your attitude and creativity. Look forward to reading more!
Thank you! I appreciate your kind words and hope my writing continues to interest you.
Happy birthday Ken. Love your writing!
Thank you!
Hello Mr. Goetz! I, too, am a colleague of Anne. We worked together many years ago and the power of social media allows us to stay connected. Seeing her post about her dad and his milestone birthday was pretty inspiring. While I am a bit late, my wishes are no less heartfelt. Happiest of birthdays to you! Hope your day is joyous and you are surrounded by love. May this be an awesome year filled with positivity, growth and abundance. Your cup overfloweth. God bless.
Thank you, Ayaba, for your cheery greeting, which I truly appreciate.
You have a great outlook Ken and I love the way you present it in writing. I am a friend to Anne and John and am so glad to know you a bit now, too. Happy 90, I hope it is a wonderful year. (I’m going to suggest my 86 year old dad take a look at your blog! I am sure he will enjoy it.)
Thank you, Mary. It was good to learn a bit about you and to know you are a friend to Anne and John. I hope your dad finds my blog to be of interest.
Suggesting my mom, who celebrated her 91st with my wife & I last week, check out your blog.
Inspirational & entertaining.
Best of both worlds.
Thank you for blogging!
You’re most welcome, Chris. And happy birthday to your mom. I hope this site interests her.
Happy Birthday Dr. Goetz! I was directed to your blog by Greg’s LinkedIn post. Glad to see you are doing well! So many good memories from my time in your lab at St. Luke’s. 90 looks good on you!
All the best!
Rob
It’s great to hear from you, Rob. I too have many good memories of our time together at St. Luke’s. Thanks for writing, and my best to you and your family!
Happy Birthday,
Cheers to a life well-lived. You are reverse aging and then some. Handsome as ever and such an inspiration.
I still cherish your inscribed memoir.
Love from Mexico,
Maggie and Sid
I’m so pleased to hear from you two! Here’s to connections made possible by the digital age. You’re an impressive lady, Maggie; I knew that the first time we met. And Sid, though I haven’t known you as long, I remember our pleasant times together in Chicago, your culinary expertise, and your generosity. My love to you both.
Ken, I love your positive spin on recognizing and accepting what has been lost or diminished by age, and celebrating what remains vital and having gratitude for that. I’m looking forward to reading more.
My thanks to you, Janet. I recognize that my positive spin, as you phrased it, was formed at least partially from my good fortune while aging. Some friends and colleagues, including younger ones, haven’t fared as well as I have. But, all luck aside, I love life.
Happy Birthday! Thanks for the inspiration!
Thank you, Ben, for your birthday wishes.