Axing My Way to 60
I must be honest. Turning “sixty” just feels weird. Twenty one was fun. Thirty was, hmm…. “mature male”, “all growed up.” Forty, a challenge, but acceptable. Fifty, now that was a strange birthday (in terms of the number) but I was in the prime of what would become my final professional position in the tech industry. But sixty???
I admit, I am pretty healthy for my age – mentally, physically and spiritually. However, it takes hard work. Right now I’m in a slight slump but working my way back to the peak. I feel, no, I am still pretty strong physically. The past several days I have been digging holes for small trees, roses, etc. in soil where you feel fortunate that if the only rock you encounter is the size of a golf ball. In the course of all the holes I’ve been digging, three particular rocks among the hundreds have been qualifiers for the Stone of Destiny beneath the throne of old Scottish Kings.
My last job before “retiring” (about a year ago) I was working for a retail farm supply company. With all of the monkeying up and down the warehouse shelving (out of sight of any manager), not to mention all the heavy stuff I otherwise lifted, carted, heaved, and moved, built my biceps up larger than I think they ever were – except maybe when I pushed around 1 ton racks of Dreyers Ice Cream (many) years ago. (I do have a point here)
Now, digging holes is not my favorite form of exercise, but, having been a “digger” in my youth for cable television – as an Underground Foreman working new build underground systems, I do find a certain kinship with Mother Earth when I do so. Ya, in a way I guess its spiritual. This leads me to my favorite form of exercise. Ready? Chopping wood with a wedge, 6lb. sledge hammer and, my favorite – an axe. I have this one axe I bought years ago. I have purchased others since, but always want this one with me to get the job done. The act (work) of chopping wood is even more spiritual for me. Like digging the Earth, I speak to the wood as I work. Try it – it is something special, something spiritual.
I still have my axe, I still chop wood. In fact, as Erin and I currently live in a basement, our only form of heat in the winter is the fireplace, so I do a lot of chopping wood these days – and love it.
What has that got to do with turning sixty? Simply said, it just don’t feel like I’m 60. The thought wanders around in the vicinity of disbelief. Oh, I have creaks here and there, my hair, though pretty long these days, is choosing to desert me. Thankfully I don’t have multiple chins, though my scraggly beard might be hiding such an attribute. But that’s it really. I am simply in disbelief that I am 60. It’s weird.
A snowflake multi tool – every dad should have one 🙂
Back on the subject of the axe. While I don’t relish receiving birthday gifts these days, those that find some sort of value to my continued existence walking this precious Earth still express their love in this fashion. And I don’t mind LOL. It is also evident that they know me fairly well, because, for the most part, they buy me books 🙂 Others send me cards that (somehow) squeeze tears outta me… And my daughters seem to find some of the coolest gifts.
I received a gift today from one of our daughters, the inspiration for this post. It was the book “Buchanan-Smith’s Axe Handbook.” Pretty cool, right? The image at the top of this post is from the front matter of the book. It’s a reflection of who, or what, I wish I had been in younger years. But dreams, like physical realities, are both images of our own making. Both real, both have a positive effect on the soul if you let them. Dreams are hopes not yet realized. And even if you never achieve your dream, it is a large part of the reason that kept you going to get wherever you are. This is what makes dreams so important to hold on to. Many of my dreams have come true in my life so far, as many dreams you only realize you had when you consider them in retrospect. We all have dreams. We just don’t always realize we do.
I’m going to stop there as I don’t want to go gettin’ all mushy. I am a very blessed man at 60. I have my soul companion in my wife, two incredibly wonderful and beautiful daughters, and four awesome grandchildren! I’m almost done working on an historical novel I’ve been working on for about 3 years now based on the life of my paternal grandfather who I never met. I have people who value me. I have all the motivation and love for life to keep me going another 30 years. However, how I afford that financially is beyond me. But as has been the case in my life – through many ups and downs – things work out when you don’t worry (too much) and NEVER give up.
Thanks for reading. Now I gotta go help dig a few more holes. No, really, I hear them out there working and I’m in here on my butt typing. Take care!
P.S. Rush is still the greatest band to ever hit the circuit. RIP Neal…
Erin, Cara, Shauna, David, Cameron, Lia, Nora, Torin, and of course Sterling! – I love you all more than you will ever realize (in this life).