I'm not alone in turning 60 today. The U.S. Census Bureau says 7,918 Americans turn 60 every day. Wow. There are a lot of us, and every day there are more. Baby boomers -- those born between 1946 and 1964 -- are aging rapidly. But we're trying to stay fit. The Census Bureau also reports that there are 27,813 fitness and recreation centers nationwide, and most are catering to baby boomers. It's a good market for them.
I'll be spending more time at the gym, and working on staying healthy. I'm committed to keeping that promise, and this public proclamation puts that much more pressure on me to live up to this goal. I'll continue to train on the shot put, with a goal of competing in a seniors track meet.
This morning, Jill bought me my "Old Guys Rule" T-shirt. That's also a public acknowledgement of accepting my age. This one is a John Wayne version. It says,"Old Guys Rule" and then has this quote from John Wayne: "When you come slam bang up against trouble, it never looks half as bad if you face up to it."
Good advice for a 60-year-old. Good advice for all of us, as we confront our daily challenges.
I also had my picture taken outside the Bubba Gump Shrimp Company, just like thousands of other Cannery Row tourists do each day. Forrest Gump offered a great suggestion for living: "Mama always said life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get."
I'll be sampling life's chocolates, as I move through my 60s. I'm not sure what is out there, but I'm ready for it. I hope.
