"When I'm Sixty-Four"

When I get older losing my hair,
Many years from now.
Will you still be sending me a valentine
Birthday greetings bottle of wine.

If I'd been out till quarter to three
Would you lock the door,
Will you still need me, will you still feed me,
When I'm sixty-four.
                                Paul McCartney, John Lennon

There is a special place in my heart for these lyrics. Released in June 1967 on Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band...one month after I proposed and one month before I was married. Under the warm summer night's deep blue blanket, with an ocean breeze lightly scenting the air like fresh cut flowers the two of us agreed to come together for a lifetime in sharing the joys and sorrows of living. Several times before that union we would ask, ....when I'm sixty-four? Since that union we have ask,...when I'm sixty-four? Of course we have both responded in the affirmative, although I have detected some hesitation on occasion I think she was just keeping me in check.

Anyway as stated...Many years from now...there never really was any seriousness to the response. It was puppy love, an association to music we both liked, from our era, by a group that made us sing in the shower and dance till quarter to three. It wasn't reality, I mean good grief, sixty-four, that was a million miles away and so far beyond comprehension, and geez, it was really old.

I don't know who said it but, "Life Happens." This just seems to be appropriate. In several days, less than that really but I'm putting this off for as long as I can, I will be sixty-four. You see turning 30 meant nothing to me, it was just another birthday, as was 40, and 50 was very special and I looked forward to it. You see there was no real reference marker. What made all of those and the birthdays in between not that big a deal. I still had my lovely bride by my side. My rock, my companion, my best friend. So now a true test of our commitment has arrived, an established reference marker. Will you still need me will you still feed me when I'm sixty-four. With joy, jubilance, a warm heart, contented soul, a smiling sense of extreme wealth, and the blessing of all that is good in this life she hung around so I have the answer to this age old question. Yes, and I couldn't be any happier.

Oh, and it is not really that old, but it was a million miles away, we have travelled at least that far together.

Give me your answer, fill in a form
Mine for evermore
Will you still need me, will you still feed me,
When I'm sixty-four.