Birthdays in the Third Age

BIRTHDAYS IN THE THIRD AGE

Family Howard

Sipping or quaffing one more down the hatch No longer beginners and quite up to scratch Know what you’re doing and do what you know The clock may be ticking but ever so slow.

The long years behind you, some feathers in caps Cheerful reminders and many more laps Our stay in this world is measured in chances Some taken, some missed as our time advances

Then comes the day with urgency receding A comfy old chair where to catch up on reading Or travel, no pressure, the world`s at your feet What once was your oyster is now more a treat

Do you sit on committees, stand up for rights? Or have you bidden farewell to those everyday fights To focus on family, friends and the garden Of Eden of course - not that small patch well trodden

You passed through some hoops climbed all rungs on the ladder If you’re blessed with good health now the best can be had A life in retirement’s no life in retreat Though ears may need cupping, still hearts miss a beat

On the roadmap of life, getting up, getting down Working things out and coming around To the conclusion that everything matters, all things have their place We’re part of that fabric, we should accept it with grace

So let’s raise those glasses to good health and times Always aware for whom the bell chimes For thee and for me are part of mankind And still on that road trip to reach Samarkand