Sep 30, 2014 3 min read

Oh happy day!

Yes, it was a happy day, my birthday that is, despite constant unsolicited mailings and recorded phone calls sadly reminding me I am now old.

One such annoying reminder came on my birthday in the form of a telemarketing robocall. I am not sure why I answered the phone with the caller ID of unknown name, unknown number, but when I did I heard, “Good morning seniors. You have qualified for a medical alert system.” Undoubtedly, there would have been more information to follow.

Now, there may come a day when I’m using a walker with an attached oxygen tank, musing to myself, “Maybe it’s time to consider that medical alert system.” But not now. I still have three years left before I join the septuagenarian club.

They, whoever they are, say you are as young as you feel, and on this day, at least, I feel kind of young, buoyed by the realization I am still here.

I discovered conversations with friends change as one grows older. We have found a new vocabulary, such as Medicare Part B and supplemental coverage. And when a group of us get together, for instance at our “we thought this would keep us young poker night,” within 10 minutes or three poker hands, whichever came first, the subject matter shifts from winning and losing to blood sugar readings, cholesterol numbers, joint replacements and, “Did you hear so and so had triple bypass?”

That kind of talk at poker has gone on for several years now, but it is beginning to dominate the evening’s dialogue.

Nonetheless, I understand why I keep receiving Medicare brochures in the mail. It’s that time of life, I guess, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it.

Even the birthday cards I received this year (yes, some people actually shopped and sent a stamped card), were trying to tell me I am close to having one foot in the grave.

A cute little dog asks, “Do you know the 10 best things about turning your age?” Inside, the card reads, “I’d tell you, but you’d never remember 10 things at once.”

And then this one came: “What do you and stinky cheese have in common?” Inside, “You both get better with age.” Not so bad, except for the scratch-and-sniff piece of cheese within the card, which does smell like I have more than one foot in the grave.

And finally this one: On the front is a photo of an elderly man, probably German or Scandinavian, white-haired with considerable wrinkles. “Another year older. As they say in the old country … May your Wienerschnitzel always stay above your Lederhosen.” Interpret it as you wish.

I am grateful for making it to 67, born the year the transistor was invented, the “Howdy Doody Show” appeared on NBC, major league baseball allowed black players, extraterrestrials “allegedly” crash-landed near Roswell, N.M., Mikhail Kalashnikov invented the AK-47 and steel pogo sticks, Lionel train milk cars and Tonka trucks were the most popular Christmas toys.

I know getting older is not easy for anyone. But considering the alternative, well, another year and new challenges await. And to those who sent cards and to my Facebook friends who took the time to send me birthday greetings, I thank you all.

Got to go – the phone is ringing. Damn, unknown name, unknown number.

Jon Stevens ,Greene County bureau chief, can be reached at jstevens@observer-reporter.com.