What feels most powerful here is the refusal to let statistics define narrative. Numbers can describe probability, but they cannot measure meaning, curiosity, or the will to remain present inside one’s own unfolding story. Your reflection transforms aging from an ending into a different kind of authorship—one shaped by attention, memory, and deliberate gratitude.
I’m especially struck by the image of still seeing the boy in the mirror. That continuity across decades echoes a deeper truth: time alters the body far more than it alters awareness. The chapters ahead may be fewer in number, but they often carry greater clarity, tenderness, and intention. Pieces like this don’t read as farewells—they read as proof that vitality is less about years remaining and more about the depth with which each moment is lived.
Just turned 73 last week—mind-blowing realization. After a visit to SoCal to visit her sister, she borrowed a slide projector. Set it up on dining room table and a piece of fabric on the wall. Started with slides my Dad shot in the Sixties when we lived in England (military) and then started on mine from the Seventies—a coming of age road trip, our two-year delayed honeymoon/only pre-children vacation, and entire rolls of our first born in a stroller, on the floor, or at the beach. Instead of an agonizing trip down memory lane, I was comforted and encouraged to continue reinventing life now.
I'm just a couple of years behind you and know what you mean about the little boy. I'm always taken aback by the human wreckage in the morning mirror after a night filled with jumbled dreams of old friends, long gone relatives, old workplaces, happy and sad times. Limited in movement at the moment but still marvel at all the things that were right outside my door or window for all the years I was working to hard to notice. I feel like Chief Dan George in Little Big Man when he's woken by Dustin Hoffman. I was having a wonderful dream and I'd like to go back to it but I also know it was a dream and it's gone.
Love the pictures of your evolution, particularly the on where you're on an undercover mission.
Love the photos! You're still young! Thank you for giving us the opportunity to wish you another happy, healthy trip around the sun! You make the world a better place by being in it! ☮️❤️
I guess it’s true that age is just a number. Some people are “old” at 50. Some at 90. I guess it’s up to one’s state of health, lifestyle, mindset (and luck). Every day is definitely a gift and the hope is to enjoy that gift if at all possible.
My husband’s parents (in their mid-80s) are off on another staycation — in Spain right now (it’s too grey and gross in Oslo this time of year). They travel still quite a bit and are living a pretty swell life. I’m hoping for that in my 80s….
Great Stuff, Jon—thanks for sharing. I will hit 75 this year, but in many ways this chapter of life is a great one. As you say, we gotta be adaptable and thankfully we have built up years of practice at resiliency by now. Keep on rocking, but stay away from the kind that involves sitting in a chair on the front porch!
Stay strong ! I turn 74 this year. I have a long term terminal illness. I am accepting of my limitations but still filled with joy and wonder. Every day is a gift to be savored. Your photography has really brought me happiness. Thank you and keep posting.
What feels most powerful here is the refusal to let statistics define narrative. Numbers can describe probability, but they cannot measure meaning, curiosity, or the will to remain present inside one’s own unfolding story. Your reflection transforms aging from an ending into a different kind of authorship—one shaped by attention, memory, and deliberate gratitude.
I’m especially struck by the image of still seeing the boy in the mirror. That continuity across decades echoes a deeper truth: time alters the body far more than it alters awareness. The chapters ahead may be fewer in number, but they often carry greater clarity, tenderness, and intention. Pieces like this don’t read as farewells—they read as proof that vitality is less about years remaining and more about the depth with which each moment is lived.
Thank you very much for your thoughts.
So well said! Thank you!
Just turned 73 last week—mind-blowing realization. After a visit to SoCal to visit her sister, she borrowed a slide projector. Set it up on dining room table and a piece of fabric on the wall. Started with slides my Dad shot in the Sixties when we lived in England (military) and then started on mine from the Seventies—a coming of age road trip, our two-year delayed honeymoon/only pre-children vacation, and entire rolls of our first born in a stroller, on the floor, or at the beach. Instead of an agonizing trip down memory lane, I was comforted and encouraged to continue reinventing life now.
My dad was in the AF and we were stationed in England. He also took lots of pictures that were preserved as slides. Wonderful memories!
I'm just a couple of years behind you and know what you mean about the little boy. I'm always taken aback by the human wreckage in the morning mirror after a night filled with jumbled dreams of old friends, long gone relatives, old workplaces, happy and sad times. Limited in movement at the moment but still marvel at all the things that were right outside my door or window for all the years I was working to hard to notice. I feel like Chief Dan George in Little Big Man when he's woken by Dustin Hoffman. I was having a wonderful dream and I'd like to go back to it but I also know it was a dream and it's gone.
Love the pictures of your evolution, particularly the on where you're on an undercover mission.
Thank you very much Philip.
I'll be 75 in 4 months when I llook in the mirror i see an old man maybe not as old as I am but an old man never-the-less
Jon, it’s always good to prove statistics wrong.
Take care….
Love the photos! You're still young! Thank you for giving us the opportunity to wish you another happy, healthy trip around the sun! You make the world a better place by being in it! ☮️❤️
Thank you my dear friend
Here’s to staying cool and having many more birthdays!🥳 PS I really like the beard
What a great article, and so REAL and BOLD including the pictures!
Thanks
Keep rocking, Jon!
Great to see tour photo timeline!
I guess it’s true that age is just a number. Some people are “old” at 50. Some at 90. I guess it’s up to one’s state of health, lifestyle, mindset (and luck). Every day is definitely a gift and the hope is to enjoy that gift if at all possible.
My husband’s parents (in their mid-80s) are off on another staycation — in Spain right now (it’s too grey and gross in Oslo this time of year). They travel still quite a bit and are living a pretty swell life. I’m hoping for that in my 80s….
Great Stuff, Jon—thanks for sharing. I will hit 75 this year, but in many ways this chapter of life is a great one. As you say, we gotta be adaptable and thankfully we have built up years of practice at resiliency by now. Keep on rocking, but stay away from the kind that involves sitting in a chair on the front porch!
Stay strong ! I turn 74 this year. I have a long term terminal illness. I am accepting of my limitations but still filled with joy and wonder. Every day is a gift to be savored. Your photography has really brought me happiness. Thank you and keep posting.
Thank you Thomas!
Right behind you, Jon. Classic Prine. Always loved that tune. More relevant than ever.
But remember this:
Do not grow old, no matter how long you live.
Never cease to stand like curious children before the Great Mystery into which we were born.
Albert Einstein
And your photos are proof of that great mystery. ♥️
Thank you susan that's great
Great photos and reflections Jon. You've given me a lot to think about.
Good morning and thanks a lot
If we only avoid that darn mirror we can be young forever! Most days I feel invincible at 68!