The Final Third

I’m all right because I have you here with me [in this final third]. The final third is what my brother-in-law (Kenny-who by the way is a lot like me) calls this stage of our lives. And I’m alright because I have people that love me, my faith, and my own damn self. I suppose since most of my siblings are in their 50’s it is the final third for us (hopefully no less).



When I think about that I have to wonder what my parents think. My parents are both 81 years old. Are they thinking the final 25th or the final day or maybe the final moment? The bottom line I guess is it could be the final moment for any of us. I am currently 35,000 feet above our planet. I am somewhere between Boston and Cincinnati. Could this be my final moment? One malfunction and oops….My life is over. Am I ready? Do I care? Will I know? Yes, Yes, I hope not.
Those are my answers...today. My reasons for caring now are different than they were yesterday. And my reasons tomorrow will probably be different than today. Yesterday I might have cared because I want to hear more about my daughter’s love story. Today I care because I’m just not finished yet. I want to experience Kenya with Allyson, my will isn’t signed, my parents don’t need to bury a child and I just have some unfinished business.

All I do know is that I am ready for this final third. I want to live it to the fullest. If I have passed anything on to my children it is to not sweat the small stuff. Our life on this planet is a blip. But in that blip we can make a difference. We can love unconditionally. We can do the unplanned and be spontaneous. We should not hurt others or think we are better than anyone. We are not. I am no better than the worst of the worst. For I do believe we are all the product of our experiences.
Some of these experiences we create and some are just things we have no control over. It is a journey.

I'm listening to awesome music on my Ipod (welcome 2009). I am in first class (the benefit of being a frequent flyer) and drinking a very cold beer. Now, can my final third be any better than this at this particular moment in time? Even though I am going to miss my connection? No, not really. It’s interesting – I think my 50’s are going to be awesome! I love life, I can still do pretty much what I want to do physically, My kids are at an age I don’t have to be too cautious with what I say, I can talk to them as friends, I really don’t care if people like me or not, kissing is still the best thing since tampons, and I have not lost hope in human kind. Walk gently, love deeply, speak softly……….And always look in the eyes of others.
Peace