Category: Family

“Sabina’s opening monologue from Thornton Wilder’s 1942 Pulitzer Prize winning play The Skin of Our Teeth: “The whole world’s at sixes and sevens, and why the house hasn’t fallen down about our ears long ago is a miracle to me” – Wikipedia

Today I’m sixty seven. That number seemed to come up quickly!   Sixty seven isn’t exactly at sixes and sevens -which is defined as “a state of confusion or disarray”- but the phrase certainly came to mind when I thought of my new age for the year.  I looked up the origin and meaning of the phrase and you can click the blue phrase for more details.

In light of a recent conversation I was asked, “what would your seventy seven year old self write in a letter as advice to heed now?”

Hmmmm, I didn’t start writing the actual letter yet but here’s a start-

Dear 67 year old Ruth,

What can I tell you from the vantage point and wisdom of 77 years of age?

Are you living your life to the absolute fullest every single day? Come on, be honest.

Tell me how are you coming along with your practice of that Golden Rule? Be kind. 

Are you making a point to learn from past mistakes or are you repeating them? What did you learn today? You can still increase your vocabulary.

Be sure to become less judgmental, less critical and always choose to take that elusive high road. Difficult, isn’t it? It will be no easier when you’re 77 years old. Trust me. To whine and complain is tiresome and unattractive. Don’t do it.

Work on your listening skills. Hear what others are saying. Ouch. 

You know you should really commit to doing serious physical exercise, eat more dark leafy greens, drink lots of water and by the way, what’s with all that cheese? Take good care of yourself and avoid the sun.

Be sure to clear out all those possessions you’ve accumulated all these years so your grown up kids aren’t burdened later. Just remember- no one wants your  stuff.  

Becoming 67 today doesn’t mean you’re at sixes and sevens for the year.  

Anyway have a good birthday-and be grateful you have one. 

Love ❤️.

Multiply it to the nth power.

                            My baby cup.