If a “Certificate of Live Birth” with my name on it is to be believed, then at 1:10pm CDT this afternoon, I drew the first breaths of my 68th year on Earth. I can’t say that I expected to hang around this long — or that I didn’t expect to, for that matter.
I’m pretty sure, though, that I never imagined I’d be observing my 67th birthday on a wooded mountain in north-central Arkansas. Didn’t see that comin’.
In both respects, however, I’m glad to be here.
One of the perks of aging is determination — as in self-determination, a sort of feisty autonomy in the choosing and doing of things. I don’t go places I don’t want to go. I’m under no obligation to suffer fools, gladly or otherwise. I eat and drink what I damned well please, and I dress myself.
If you don’t like the way I’m livin’,
Charlie Daniels
You just leave this long-haired country boy alone.
I’m not easily impressed. Least impressive are people who try to impress me. And when someone presumes to bring their drama to my door, I refuse delivery.
I’m not compelled to explain myself. I couldn’t care less if I’m understood. I waste no time justifying to others what I believe, what I do or how I got here.
The farther I travel, the less tolerant I am of being fucked with — whether by individuals, by customs and culture, or by institutions.
“I won’t be wronged, I won’t be insulted, and I won’t be laid a hand on. I don’t do these things to other people, and I require the same from them.”
John Bernard “J.B.” Books
And then there’s the matter of simplicity. I don’t merely appreciate simplicity — I insist on it.
Don’t try to tell me who I am. I already know.
Who I am, as it turns out, is a man who’s happy beyond measure and stronger than he’s ever been in all the ways that matter. I’m where I belong. The people I give a damn about give at least half a damn about me.
Wisdom is dawning in my world.
Had my hand on the dollar bill
Rare Earth
And the dollar bill flew away
But the sun is shinin’ down on me
And it’s here to stay
I just want to celebrate another day of livin’
I just want to celebrate another day of life
The anniversary of my birth truly is just another day. I’ve chosen to mark this one with reflection.
It’s personal.
For reasons of your own, you’ve chosen to read this. I do appreciate that — thanks for ridin’ along.
Take care of yourselves, Patriots. Stay calm. Stay sharp. Stay free.
#WiseUp #LibertyOrDeath #Ungovernable
#LetsGoBrandon #FJB