BY KYLE LOVERN

As many of you may know, I am retired or semi-retired, depending on how you look at freelance writing. It’s something I enjoy, but sometimes I do get “writer’s block,” and it’s not always easy to come up with something to write about.

It has always happened. However, lately, I blame my age for much of it. The energy level is definitely not where it used to be.

It got me thinking of what age we view as “old age.” It seems as we continue to add up the birthdays, the older we get certain ages don’t seem as old as they once did in years past.

I remember playing basketball against guys in their 40s when I was in my 20s and thinking they were old. Once I got to my 40s and was trying to still run up and down the court without pulling some kind of muscle, I then thought that being in your 50s or 60s was old age.

I hear people in their 30s or 40s talking about getting old and I can’t help but smile.

Now that I’m in my mid-60s, I know I’m old, but I think that maybe being in your 70s or beyond is really going down the other side of the hill when it comes to being old.

While doing a little research, I found a quote that seemed to fit my thoughts perfectly:

“Old age is always 15 years older than I am.” –Oliver Wendell Holmes.

I think many of us can relate to this one.

Here are a few other funny quotes in regards to heading into those geriatric years.

“Birthdays are good for you. Statistics show that the people who have the most live the longest.” –Larry Lorenzoni.

“I don’t feel old. I don’t feel anything until noon. Then it’s time for my nap.” –Bob Hope.

I can definitely relate to this one because that afternoon cat nap has become a habit I really enjoy.

This is a quote that many of us should consider: “You don’t stop laughing when you grow old. You grow old when you stop laughing.” –George Bernard Shaw.

That is a good attitude to have.

Of course, many of us have those aching joints and sore muscles. It’s something we learn to live with. Here is a good quote concerning that:

“I don’t let my age define me but the side-effects are getting harder to ignore.” –Unknown.

Of course, many of us want to leave a legacy or make an impact on those lives we’ve touched. Here is a good one from Honest Abe:

“In the end it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” –Abraham Lincoln.

We all have to work through our adult lives. It is tough to have a job you don’t enjoy. Although I’ve bounced around a bit, I’ve been lucky and blessed to have a few jobs I grew up wanting to work at. Radio, newspaper, public relations, teaching and coaching were some of the best times I’ve spent over the years.

“To find joy in work is to discover the fountain of youth.” –Pearl S. Buck.

I like this comment from a former MLB baseball player who played far past his prime, but he loved what he was doing:

“Age is a case of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it don’t matter.” –Satchel Paige.

We know with age we gain experience and knowledge, even though the younger generation may not think so.

“The best tunes are played on the oldest fiddles.” –Ralph Waldo Emerson.

We can look back at many of the memories we’ve had. I am sentimental and remember a lot of things from grade school, high school, throughout my young adult life and the past few years. Some of them are good and others maybe not so good. But that is a part of life. It’s best not to dwell in the past. Dodge that rearview mirror and just look ahead. Think about and recall the good times.

I’ll close with a quote from my favorite author.

“Wrinkles should merely indicate where smiles have been.” –Mark Twain.

(Kyle Lovern is a longtime journalist in the Tug Valley. He is now a retired freelance writer and columnist.)