What’s It Like to Turn 90?

With the life I’ve lived, who’d want to turn 90? Getting old ain’t fun! I love life and don’t want it to end. Yet I’ll make the most of the years I have left. 

Bad news first — my balance is shot. When I stand up, vertigo often kicks in and walking on uneven surfaces is hard — so no more long hikes. And if you see me wobbling. I’ve not been drinking, it’s because I just turned 90. 

Making matters worse, my feet are failing me. After running marathons, competing in 5 and 10K races and hiking halfway around the world, they’re due to complain. Enough of that. The good news is all that exertion contributed to the overall good health I enjoy today. 

As for my brain, it’s fine, thanks. No memory problems so far. Sure, I’ll walk into a room and wonder why I’m there. Doesn’t everyone? Besides, I quickly orient myself and move on. My mental acuity might be a result of always keeping my brain engaged during waking hours. I’ve never been a TV watcher, a social media addict or skilled at “hanging out.” So much so, I’m frequently called a human doing, not a human being. 

I realize turning 90 will alter that, I’ll be dialing things down. For decades I’ve practiced a demanding yoga routine called Tibetan Rites. Over the years I’ve reduced that routine from 21 repetitions to 18 and now to 15. The same scaling back applies to weightlifting, headstands and my running. The trick is finding enough activity to maintain flexibility and strength without causing soreness or stress fractures. 

My biggest challenge will be cutting back on “High Contact Gardening.” I love digging in dirt, attacking weeds and planting trees and shrubs. Another goal is to enjoy my hillside garden, not constantly working in it. Maybe I’ll just sit and stare. 

The truth is at 90 I’ve a great deal to look back on. I was married three times before finally getting it (really) right with number four. Nikki and I have now been married for 38 years. I, or we, have co-founded and sold three businesses. I have never been an employee; have always been self-employed. Also, over the years, I initiated a popular 5K footrace, a distinguished speakers lecture series and a team beautification effort; all of which still exist. My subliminal life purpose has long been,  “To help build community.” 

Sadly, my adventure traveling days are probably over, but they were once rather robust. Nikki and I summited Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Whitney three times and attempted Mount Elbrus in Russia. I’ve also hitchhiked across the country twice; spent considerable time in New York City; and traveled in Tibet, Peru, Patagonia and trekked in Mongolia, among other adventures. It’s been fun and interesting. 

On turning 90, many cite losing friends due to their moving away, changing attitudes, illnesses and deaths. And, that’s happening to me. But as years pass, Nikki and I increasingly enjoy our family — all whom are thankfully doing very well. And, they, even including my first wife, are often the ones we turn to for laughs and friendship. 

My current goal is to get my book, Thirty Words, published. It shows how photos I’ve casually taken over 50 years define 30 chosen words. The book is finished and I’m proud of it. Now the task is finding a publisher who thinks like I do. 

Meanwhile I’ll keep writing. Perhaps revisit a memoir completed 15 years ago that never found an audience. Or maybe write the book I’ve always wanted to read: How to Psychoanalyze Yourself. 

Which raises a final question: What does a 90-year-old think of today’s world and its future? For me — fueled by a double dose of TNT (Tito’s and tonic) — this is a favorite topic to contemplate. 

Born in 1936, I honestly believe I’ve lived through humanity’s best 90 years. Sure, those decades included wars, assassinations, segregation and lingering effects of the Great Depression. But they also brought extraordinary progress — commercial air travel, instant communication and the elimination of many diseases. Some advances, however, carried a mixed message. I remember life before television — a time when kids were outside playing instead of sitting inside staring at screens. 

Another concern I have about the future involves work. I’m an old fashioned guy who believes work is noble. By this, I mean the physical and mental effort that leads to accomplishment. I believe work gives purpose and meaning to life. Yet today’s technology appears increasingly determined to eliminate work. And there may be nothing we can do about it. Think about it! Cars drive themselves, robots perform tasks once done by people and computers now even think for us. Yikes! What will keep our minds engaged and our bodies nimble? 

I’m not disparaging the future, I’m sure that to many it sounds exciting. But many in my generation maintain, today’s future isn’t as inviting as it once was. It’s not just that technology seems to be increasing life’s complexities, but also the political discord, climate change, the negative aspects of social media and the downsides to artificial intelligence. These are matters many of us old guys prefer not to have to deal with. And frankly, as the end of our time on Planet Earth approaches, we are not saddened. Speaking for myself, I’ve had a great run, a wonderful life and want no one to mourn my passing when the time comes. I’m more than content with my past; and quite concerned about humanity’s future. 

At the same time, l remain curious and want to stick around just long enough to get an idea of how things are turning out. In fact, I’ve set my sell-by date to be sometime in the year 2040. Beyond that, I don’t want to linger any longer. I want to die in my sleep having a pleasant dream. As for now, I’m very happy to have just turned 90.