Yesterday, I turned sixty-two. The thought struck me that, once you start counting “three score and…” (Psalm 90:10), you’ve reached the road toward home.
Here is one of my favorite songs about aging, by the incomparable Emmylou Harris, along with Rodney Crowell.
The Internet Monk Archives 
This pic reminds me a little bit of a (younger) Bruce Cockburn.
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Spoken true of Harris.
But for those not so lucky, time and gravity have been cruel masters.
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Now there you go looking at the outward man! You’re younger and more beautiful than ever. That’s the word from the top.
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And sometimes I feel like I’m still Sixteen Blue.
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Happy Birthday, CM.
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In my head, I haven’t reached 17 yet.
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Congratulations, Chaplain Mike, on making it to 62! I hope you had a very good day. I’ll be 71 in three months, and I struggle a bit to come to terms with being “over the hill.” But, as the joke goes, “When you’re over the hill, you pick up speed.” You might as well take advantage of the slope, and cram as much into the journey as possible.
I try to emulate Peter Pan: I won’t grow up. I know some real “grown ups,” and I refuse to be that stodgy and settled. I’d rather keep an open mind about whatever comes next in life.
Have a great year!
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Happy Birthday CM!
Appreciate all that you do here.
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Happy Belated Birthday, CM!!
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Burro, I second your opinion about Ms. Harris, she has gotten more attractive each year which is rare.
Tribute to Henny Youngman: I was so ugly when I was born the Doctor slapped my Mother.
CM. Move to Fl, you will hear the phrase, “you are only 62” just wait til you get old, I am 70 and in my area I am young, at least in heart.
Happy B. Day,
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Happy Birthday Chaplain Mike
and some wisdom from Bruce C…
and thanks for this place!
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The irony is that Emmylou Harris is still one of the most beautiful women on the planet even in her sixties, and after a gawky and gangly early adulthood, finally “grew” into into her beauty when she was in her forties.
The song would have been far more poignant if it had been sung by, say, Naomi Judd, Barbara Mandrell, or even Neil Young.
As the beautiful Orthodox prayer renders it –
“Oh immortal Lord, now that the bright festival of youth has passed us by, Thou who art ever unfading remember us in your Kingdom.”
Happy birthday, young whippersnapper.
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Happy Birthday, Chaplain Mike. Thank you for that sweet and poignant song. I’ll join you at 62 in a few months. You know, in my head I’m still 17.
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Psalm 90 is one of my favorites as well.
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We’re not done yet; press on.
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