Where did the years go?

May 8, 2013
Where did all those years go?
I’ve heard that twice in 24 hours–once in an email from my rebound ex-husband
and the other in a comment
a Boomer friend left on a blog post of mine.My rebound ex sent me some photosincluding one of him

in his motorcycle leathers,

still cutting a fine figure

as he prepares to turn 70.

Seventy!

He was 37 when we started dating.

I’m not sure we could even fathom 70 back then.

Doesn’t it seem like just yesterday
we were in the drama of first love
playing spin the bottle?
Just a minute ago
we were young
starting our careers
or maybe having babies.
Wasn’t it just the other day
that we found our first grey hair
got acquainted with choosing our hair color
realized we were very senior in our jobs
mourned the loss of our parents
or moved them into assisted living?
Fast forward
our friends are retiring
getting sick
dying
our bones creak as we get out of bed in the morning.
We look at ourselves
through the lens of the young people
we once were
and realize that we’re aging
maybe even old.
Where did all those years go?
Are they kept in a secret box somewhere
to be revisited when we leave this life?
or are they gone forever?
Where did they go?
6 comments on “Where did the years go?
  1. I just can’t look back. Face forward and march upright- with a spring in your step (and a glass of wine in your hand) is my motto. And… maybe a facelift.

  2. I’m with Cheryl! I still try to move so fast each and every day that I have to pause to reflect on the past…which I only do occasionally and rarely to measure the progress and evolution I still try to bring about to myself every day. [I take a breath after that l-o-n-g sentence].

  3. Joan Stommen says:

    My favorite line is “in his motorcycle leathers still cutting a fine figure!” My guy just turned 70 too…..and he’s still fun and game for anything! We have a blast…..going to be 48 years come August. We think this a great ride…..this growing along! While I love keeping the past alive for my grkids….family history and stories etc….we don’t dwell on aging. I think this keeps us young and engaged. I love the way you’ve presented this piece, Carol! I love learning neat style tricks and how to turn the small things into cool topics to write about! You are my new favorite writer! 🙂
    Joan/Gramcracker

  4. admin says:

    OMG, he’s still a great lookin’ guy, although not the adorable young thing I fell in love. Nor am I the adorable young thing HE fell in love with! 70 is JARRING to consider! Sounds like your guy is a lot of fun, lucky you! Joan, your compliments are much appreciated!

  5. beth egan says:

    beautiful poetry, just beautiful. 70 is the new 40 … I know so many vibrant, productive, amazing 70 somethings, they inspire me 🙂

  6. DarleneMAM says:

    The years flew by…is right. And sometimes I’m surprised at what I see when I look in the mirror. What really gets to me though is when my husband of 33 years tells me that we are “old.” When he does I get a pang…I think my heart actually hurts.

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