You’re helping me anticipate my 62nd birthday exactly one month from now! (And, I met my husband in 1984. We still have our early correspondence, but it’s boxed up in the attic. And, he rarely reads anything I write.) But back to the subject—about 6 years ago I started interviewing people to discuss their “later vocations.” The phrase ended up in my book that came out in 2022–all about 19th-century women finding new callings after mid-life. The contemporary interviews never went beyond two blog posts. I had too much going on back then to take it further. Of course, with both projects I was working through my own desires to open new paths…. I am still working on that! I am definitely not dreading my birthday!
Simply beautiful - and oh so vulnerable and true. Bravo for having the courage to question youthful expectations of how to show up in the world and discovering you have so much more to give and do. Your birthday gift of realization and joy is actually a gift to the world!
-- Firstly, happy, happy birthday, David. I always believed that there’s an exquisite power in being alive in one’s sixties. I wonder if it feels that different from my current 32. And yes, there’s time too – that entity or energy that never ceases to leave its message, whether we are ready or not. Great essay. Xo.
I’ve fallen into the trap of believing that in order to practice my love of writing, it has to be tied to something else I love, and choose to write about. This gave me hope that, just maybe, writing can be enough.
Appreciated this post a great deal.
And after reading your card, I’ve realized there’s much more room for creative writing in the cards I send to my loved ones. That was beautiful.
Happy birthday, David. I wish you many years to love those dear to you while pursuing this consumingly odd and (to me, anyway) intermittingly thrilling vocation. Writing doesn’t make a lot of sense to those who are not writers. The tangible rewards are elusive and few. Yet when you know you’ve said what you didn’t even know you meant, and in the saying made a difference to even one reader, writing is flying. Does a tax lawyer know this feeling? Or a dentist? Later life is the best time to write. You have more to say than you imagined possible when younger, and no expectations to be a wunderkind.
As a long time journal writer ( since I am 13) I only recently came to understand why I am doing it. I first did it because I wanted to document my life, so I’ll remember it later. But turns out the information I wrote down became so irrelevant for the future. (Who cares how cool Kim Wilde is now!) the slow speed of handwriting is just there to help me slow down to think. It almost doesn’t matter what I write. Because I have no audience. : )
David - You were one of the first writers I subscribed to when I joined Substack. Reading your words over the past four months and watching you find your voice and passion in this place has been a blessing. You were also one of my very first paid subscribers, and that act of kindness on your part did so much to encourage me to continue writing when I felt so out of place. I am delighted you are here, sharing your voice and journey with the world. I always look forward to your articles showing up in my inbox. Happy birthday, and I look forward to benefiting from your vocation in the years ahead.
David, HB! I love the card and inscription to your wife and a big THANKS to her for prompting (prodding) you to write. 62 is nice but I have to say that 72 (where I am now) is even better in terms of self awareness. Even if the reflection in the mirror is a bit less appealing. Excited to be writing with you and grateful for your support.
Happy birthday, David. This line stood out powerfully to me - so succinct, matter of fact, and full of awareness: “I realized I had needlessly enslaved myself to the mythologies of my youth.” I’m glad to be part of your Substack community. Adding a little breath of gratitude to your pile of birthday wishes.
Your comments about dear old Frodo are so true. Aren’t these the same sentiments “you can’t go back” many people feel when life has performed one of its upheavals. I think for example of the veterans, who find returning to civilian life so daunting. They think other people don’t understand, and I for one certainly can’t understand.
On a more mundane note. It’s also my grandson’s birthday today. He’s eight. . We bought him a football game, or a football shirt, or a pair of goalies gloves, or something like that. You get the drift. March birthdays are good - right at the beginning of Spring, full of hope.
It’s even sunny here in Banstead today. Daffodils are out.
My next piece explores something similar, and will be an answer of sorts to yours. I anticipate birthdays with a mixture of glee and dread, in general, but this next one—60—more than most, as it has forced me to come to terms with the “personal myth” I’ve used to narrate much of my life and how age and wisdom is nudging me toward changing that myth.
Happy birthday!
Happy Birthday! That looks like a Checker cab? Have you ever watched “Best Years of Our Lives”? Love your writing.
You’re helping me anticipate my 62nd birthday exactly one month from now! (And, I met my husband in 1984. We still have our early correspondence, but it’s boxed up in the attic. And, he rarely reads anything I write.) But back to the subject—about 6 years ago I started interviewing people to discuss their “later vocations.” The phrase ended up in my book that came out in 2022–all about 19th-century women finding new callings after mid-life. The contemporary interviews never went beyond two blog posts. I had too much going on back then to take it further. Of course, with both projects I was working through my own desires to open new paths…. I am still working on that! I am definitely not dreading my birthday!
Happy Birthday David!
Simply beautiful - and oh so vulnerable and true. Bravo for having the courage to question youthful expectations of how to show up in the world and discovering you have so much more to give and do. Your birthday gift of realization and joy is actually a gift to the world!
-- Firstly, happy, happy birthday, David. I always believed that there’s an exquisite power in being alive in one’s sixties. I wonder if it feels that different from my current 32. And yes, there’s time too – that entity or energy that never ceases to leave its message, whether we are ready or not. Great essay. Xo.
I’ve fallen into the trap of believing that in order to practice my love of writing, it has to be tied to something else I love, and choose to write about. This gave me hope that, just maybe, writing can be enough.
Appreciated this post a great deal.
And after reading your card, I’ve realized there’s much more room for creative writing in the cards I send to my loved ones. That was beautiful.
Happy Birthday! I greet my birthdays with neither great joy nor great dread. I'm thankful for another alive in this essentially beautiful world.
Happy Birthday! I gave you a tennis win as your gift! ;)
I love the taxi card, so sweet.
Happy birthday, David. I wish you many years to love those dear to you while pursuing this consumingly odd and (to me, anyway) intermittingly thrilling vocation. Writing doesn’t make a lot of sense to those who are not writers. The tangible rewards are elusive and few. Yet when you know you’ve said what you didn’t even know you meant, and in the saying made a difference to even one reader, writing is flying. Does a tax lawyer know this feeling? Or a dentist? Later life is the best time to write. You have more to say than you imagined possible when younger, and no expectations to be a wunderkind.
Happy belated birthday. I love this article.
As a long time journal writer ( since I am 13) I only recently came to understand why I am doing it. I first did it because I wanted to document my life, so I’ll remember it later. But turns out the information I wrote down became so irrelevant for the future. (Who cares how cool Kim Wilde is now!) the slow speed of handwriting is just there to help me slow down to think. It almost doesn’t matter what I write. Because I have no audience. : )
David - You were one of the first writers I subscribed to when I joined Substack. Reading your words over the past four months and watching you find your voice and passion in this place has been a blessing. You were also one of my very first paid subscribers, and that act of kindness on your part did so much to encourage me to continue writing when I felt so out of place. I am delighted you are here, sharing your voice and journey with the world. I always look forward to your articles showing up in my inbox. Happy birthday, and I look forward to benefiting from your vocation in the years ahead.
David, HB! I love the card and inscription to your wife and a big THANKS to her for prompting (prodding) you to write. 62 is nice but I have to say that 72 (where I am now) is even better in terms of self awareness. Even if the reflection in the mirror is a bit less appealing. Excited to be writing with you and grateful for your support.
Happy birthday, David. This line stood out powerfully to me - so succinct, matter of fact, and full of awareness: “I realized I had needlessly enslaved myself to the mythologies of my youth.” I’m glad to be part of your Substack community. Adding a little breath of gratitude to your pile of birthday wishes.
Your comments about dear old Frodo are so true. Aren’t these the same sentiments “you can’t go back” many people feel when life has performed one of its upheavals. I think for example of the veterans, who find returning to civilian life so daunting. They think other people don’t understand, and I for one certainly can’t understand.
On a more mundane note. It’s also my grandson’s birthday today. He’s eight. . We bought him a football game, or a football shirt, or a pair of goalies gloves, or something like that. You get the drift. March birthdays are good - right at the beginning of Spring, full of hope.
It’s even sunny here in Banstead today. Daffodils are out.
And I’ve just subscribed to your site. Thanks.
My next piece explores something similar, and will be an answer of sorts to yours. I anticipate birthdays with a mixture of glee and dread, in general, but this next one—60—more than most, as it has forced me to come to terms with the “personal myth” I’ve used to narrate much of my life and how age and wisdom is nudging me toward changing that myth.