40

Well, there you have it, today I’m 40. Happy Birthday to Me!

Like any day of any year, events of note take place. July 13th is no different (see Wikipedia – BBC – History Channel). But in 1965 it was of particular significance to me and my folks, as I popped into the world at the Naval Hospital in Portsmouth, Virginia.

I’ve been oddly excited about this birthday. The sort of excitement that comes at turning 16, or 21. I have not felt morose or dreadful as some do at forty, although that is an understandable feeling, because the real significance of this age is that it marks what is likely to be close to the halfway point of my life. One hundred years ago the life expectancy for men in America was 48. My GG Grandfather Michael Casey was 47 when he died in 1898, and his grandson (my grandfather), John, almost doubled that by reaching 92. It doesn’t seem likely I’ll match that feat of doubling my grandfather’s age by reaching 180, but who knows what life extending advancements will come in my next 40 years.

Regardless, pausing to reflect at 40 has left me feeling good. I have a wonderful family, swell friends, a great job, and no health problems of note. In the words of Joe Walsh, “Life’s been good to me so far…”, and I’m looking forward to the second half… or let’s say the remaining three-fifths!