The Years Go By
63 years on the planet today. Birthdays come and birthdays go. A reminder that time passes and, as I get older, a reminder that the time of life remaining ahead is far less than the time of life that has already been lived.
I am almost two years into retirement and I am thoroughly enjoying life in our coach. I hope that Lorraine and I will have many more years to enjoy this lifestyle in retirement. As I get older, I make sure I remember to be thankful for a wonderful marriage, an amazing family, good friends, terrific experiences and, yes, even the many challenges that life throws our way.
In the year I was born, these were some of the major events:
- It was the height of the cold war and Russia had launched Sputnik and started the Space Race.
- Russia and the United States launched Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles further increasing the threat of nuclear war.
- The Asian Flu pandemic had a death toll thought to be in excess of 1 million lives (over 70,000 in the United States alone).
- The Treaty of Rome was signed which established a European Economic Community, the precursor to the European Union.
- John Glenn, not yet an astronaut, set a new transcontinental speed record becoming the first pilot to average supersonic speed between Los Angeles and New York.
- Peak year for Baby Boomers — at least I have a lot of company.
- A detached two-storey house in the Forest Hill area of Toronto could be purchased for $30,000 which was slightly above the average house price in the Toronto area — the same Forest Hill houses now sell for $3 to $4 million.
- Bridge Over The River Kwai won the Academy Award for Best Picture.
- The number one song was “Too Much” by Elvis Presley.
- The Suez Canal was a major international crisis with the President of Egypt ordering the sinking of ships in the canal.
- Wham-O released the first Frisbee.
- The final episode of I Love Lucy aired on CBS.
- Hurricane Audrey, one of the most devastating hurricanes on record, caused extensive damage in the Gulf coastal region, killing around 500 people.
- The United States attempted to launch its first satellite but the rocket exploded only a few seconds after launch.
When I woke up this morning, I was greeted by this lovely birthday decor in our coach.
A wonderful start to a birthday in our little bit of paradise.
Happy Birthday! I’ve got a decade on you, and I can tell you it just gets better. Hope to see you guys in Petoskey or Indio some time soon.
Ken
Thanks Ken! Good to hear that it just gets better 🙂 🙂
I miss the Gluckmans and I hope to see you soon in our travels!
Happy Birthday – and may there be many more! Yesterday I had an open house at my new condo – you would have had great times catching up with Jurgen Klaus, Kathy Davis, Susan Yerema, Susan Carter,and many more of the old London Lifers.
Kelly
Thanks Kelly. I think back on the London Life team often. Such a great team!
Congratulations on the new home and I hope all is well.
Happy Birthday my Canadian Buddy!
Thanks Ron 🙂
Happy birthday – enjoy your special day.
I have a six month head start on you. Looking forward seems more difficult than looking back.
It’s been 44 yrs since the Flyers won the Stanley Cup. Where did the years go?
Happy belated birthday Richard!