I turned thirty six the other day – thirty feicin six! That, for the mathematically challenged, is two times eighteen. Now, a human comes of age at the age of eighteen – one reaches adulthood. So after that milestone has passed, what is the next big one?
Well, I am putting it out there today that the next important year is thirty six. The big 36. Not your 21st, not your 30th, not when you hit the fabulous forties but innocuous, oft overlooked thirty six.
For it is on this day and this day alone, that you will have spent an equal number of years as an adult and as a child.
In theory at least, as most of us never really grow up.
So what does that mean for me?
Well, on the day I turned 36, I went over the border of Belize and into Mexico for the first time in my life. Mexico. Of all the places in the world, I would be hitting this country for the first time.
It got me thinking.
I am a lucky bastard.
I really am.
You see, when I was a kid, I thought that when I grew up and became an adult (around 18 years), I would then become a fireman or a business man. I would then marry a girl (any girl) and we would have lots of children and a nice house in Dublin somewhere.
By the time I would turn thirty six I thought most of my living would be lived. I thought I would be raising my spawn and working my way up to the top of fireman/business world chain of command.
I thought I would be completely bald and probably wearing glasses.
Not that there is anything wrong with being a family man who is working his way to the top.
And the truth is that the baldness is coming slowly, but that’s ok.
It’s ok because in three days time I am going to Cuba for a month to visit a country I have always fantasised about (should one fantasise about a country?). My thoughts will be occupied with smoking fat cigars and drinking coffee and swanning around wearing my Panama hat, coiffing at the thoughts in my head as I scribble luscious, lusty poetry from the streets of Havana.
At thirty six I thought this kind of lark would have been behind me.
But this “one day at a time” philosophy which I have adopted and adapted seems to be paying dividends. I have goals and long term plans sure, but I don’t worry about them too much. I don’t live in the past as lovely a time as it was.
It is the here and now. Thirty six years on from the time I popped out from the belly of me mother.
In Mexico, headin to Cuba…
Bald, family, working your way……to somewhere…. Sounds totally foreign to me. the kid/adult notion is interesting to me though SP. i think nothing significant happens at 18. just a mark. a line. physical maturity maybe… takes a lifetime to grow up
True that Senior Rimmero – one is always learning and growing to some extent. Suppose at 18 you can now vote and drink the booze in most countries, thus giving it some kind of importance. And not to forget lots of pubic hair. And stubble rash for the ladies..
Hey John! Sounds amazing…you’re so right to count your lucky stars, and to live in the now…enjoy your adventures…I went to Mexico and Cuba 3 years ago…it was my last farrah before the little ladies came into my life! I am sooo thankful I went! Cuba is incredible. Although I was only in Havana, it was amazing.
And yes, turning 36 does sound old on the ear! But feck it:-) you have had 36 years of greatness! And at least 36 more! So when you’re 72, you’ll probably still say you have had equal number of years as a child and an adult! Depending how grown up you feel when you’re 72!
Enjoy yourselves
Meabhus! X
Ah Meabhus,
Ba mhaith liom na focail sin a leamh…cinnte! Time flies ha…was about 20 years ago now that I was wandering around Sutton looking for your house! Them years since have been packed and lets hope the next 36 do indeed bring as many stories and adventures as the last.
Glad you experienced the buzz around these parts – it really is a different world.
Maybe in the next few years when we settle somewhere here you can bring your own chizzlers on another farrah and visit us..
That would be a another type of craic altogether!
Ah brilliant! I love reading your work. It put a smile on my face and has me hugely excited that the coming years of my life will be grand…! I think living day to day, having plans but not being too worried is the best message to get from your piece. It has me in fine fettle altogether! Go raibh maith agat : )
Go on ya good thing and iI hope it does put a hep in your shtep! Take the message and pass it on…Great to have you readin this humble page….