I Believe Age Doesnt Define Maturity

Today is my younger brother's 60th birthday.

We are about 10 months apart, so I turned 60 first. I don't mind...age is only a number. But you know what they say about paybacks...

I bided my time, sending him a birthday card in plenty of time for him to have it. On my 60th birthday, he called me to wish me a Happy Birthday, then asked "How does it feel to be 60?"

I answered immediately (the first thing that came to me, "No different than it did when I was 50."

I think that threw him for a loop. Ever since Mom had died at a relatively young age, and the older two of her three youngest children have passed that age (55), my brother has been worrying about mortality...you know, cemetery, grave sites, funeral arrangements and all that goes with it..wills...I already HAVE one I want to stand after I am gone. but a few months ago, he had one drafted by his lawyer and he said to look it over. I did - and, where I had promised the youngest brother (almost 56) my personal property to do what he wished with it (keep, donate, or trash) this draft said I had left everything to my niece and nephew and "made no provison" to either brother. I corrected him and told him what Ken and I had first verbally agreed on years ago and later had put in writing. Nothing more was said about this will...and as long as I still have my faculties, that is the way it will stand.

But I regress...anyway, I waited until he was at work, then called and wished him a Happy Birthday, adding in a honey-sweet tone, "How does it feel to be sixty?"

I didn't quite get what he replied, but it was something on the order of "20 plus 20 plus 20..."

I laughed and said, "Something like that. Well, I won't keep you. Just called to wish you a happy birthday, and I'll catch you later."

I hung up, feeling just a bit smug. After Christmas, I will be 62...and by then he should realize, age is only a number.