Today is an important day in my life; I officially become an octogenarian. How long is eighty years? I now know. I can look back over my life and see how I have been blessed with good health, good friends, a good wife, three caring daughters, eight extraordinary grandchildren, and a wonderful family, five generations before and after me. And now I look to the future and ask myself, “How long?”
How long can I order and plant bulbs for the next spring?
How long can I jitterbug with my Arranger?
How long can I double-date with my granddaughter and the young man in her life?
How long can I hit a backhand down the line for a winner?
How long can I haunt the garden centers for new plants to put in my garden?
How long until I finish my SciFi novel?
How long can I play my favorite song on my baritone ukulele?
How long can I listen to the bird symphony in my garden?
How long can I walk a mile every day?
How long can I dig and water and prune and weed, ignoring a sore back?
How long can I sit and listen to one of the great violin concertos?
How long can I have a grandson over for Sunday dinner?
How long can I get down on my knees to pray, to give thanks for these blessings?
I don’t know how long I will be able to do these things that bring me such joy, but I am going to do my best to keep at it.
A Walk in the Garden 
For dear John on this amazing day. Happy Birthday with our love…Ulysses-Alfred Lord Tennyson (last verse)
Tho’ much is taken, much abides; and though we are not now that strength which in old days moved earth and heaven; that which we are, we are; one equal temper of heroic hearts, made weak by time and fate, but strong in will to strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.
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You and Bob have been much a part of the last twenty years and have added so much to our blessings. Thank you…and now for many more.
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Congratulations and Many Happy Returns!
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Thank you, Cathy. We appreciate your encouragement.
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Happy birthday. I am blessed to have such a wonderful brother. Much love to you on this very special day.
Pete
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And you are such a special brother as well. Love you.
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Congratulations , that is a great achievement, I hope you will continue to enjoy all the things you love, some of which I can’t do now and I’m quite a bit younger than you. Have a wonderful day.
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Thanks, Christina. It was indeed a wonderful day…with wonderful friends.
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Congratulations,. and here’s to many more active and happy years!
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Thanks so much, Jason. Will be looking for you to join me one of these years.
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Happy Birthday JV. You just keep right on going, one precious moment at a time. You’re living right.
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Thanks so much.
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Happy birthday John! Thank you for this thoughtful and thought provoking post. I hope the answer to all of your musings remains, “As long as you enjoy it.” I hope this has been a special day for you and your beloved arranger .
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Thank you. WE had a great day and I’m already planning my garden changes for the fall.
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Good for you! Your energy must be holding up in this heat and humidity better than mine if you’re already planning work for fall 😉 Looking forward to your vase tomorrow-
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I hope you enjoy many, many more Happy Birthdays in the future. Keep on planting and planning, you are as young as you feel!
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Thanks, Pauline. I already have a list of new things I want to add this fall.
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Happy Birthday and many many more. It’s all in the mind keep planning your garden, keep buying your plants, sow more seeds, and enjoy your family. Looks like you have a lot of love around you…. x
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Great advice, Sue. I am fortunate indeed to have this wonderful family around me.
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