Yep, that’s me. I’m 55 years old today. By the time you read
this, I’ll be 55 and two or more days though, because I sit with my writing
partner Michelle Andres, of The Art of the Well Lived Life, on Wednesdays and
we write our blogs together. Michelle’s is called “The Art of the Well Lived Life,” but I digress.
I say all that because it’s been my history, throughout my
adult life (30’s, 40’s, and now 50’s) to get really introspective every 5th
year. Well, this is that year. I’ve actually warned those closest to me to
“stay away” this day because I anticipate being bad company. The word
brooding comes immediately to mind. You know, I brood about my mortality, my
legacy, my brand, my family, my friends, my value, my worth, all of that. Guess
what? THIS year, I’ll do my brooding right HERE! Ann, that means dinner with
you and the kids tonight will be great!
adult life (30’s, 40’s, and now 50’s) to get really introspective every 5th
year. Well, this is that year. I’ve actually warned those closest to me to
“stay away” this day because I anticipate being bad company. The word
brooding comes immediately to mind. You know, I brood about my mortality, my
legacy, my brand, my family, my friends, my value, my worth, all of that. Guess
what? THIS year, I’ll do my brooding right HERE! Ann, that means dinner with
you and the kids tonight will be great!
A couple of years ago, I was given one of the absolute best
birthday gifts I’ve ever received. It was from one of my very best friends, Amy Pelletier. Amy’s a writer, a poet, and a real provocateur. Check her out at Wilted Rose where she
expounds on, primarily through poetry and erotica, what goes on inside her very
attractive head. She’s written two books, Dancing with Madness and In Shadows (and I’m proud to say I have
both). I made a mention about getting
older (so uncharacteristic of me), and she replied with this:
birthday gifts I’ve ever received. It was from one of my very best friends, Amy Pelletier. Amy’s a writer, a poet, and a real provocateur. Check her out at Wilted Rose where she
expounds on, primarily through poetry and erotica, what goes on inside her very
attractive head. She’s written two books, Dancing with Madness and In Shadows (and I’m proud to say I have
both). I made a mention about getting
older (so uncharacteristic of me), and she replied with this:
“Oh, and you are NOT old! You’re the perfect age…..the age
where a man truly becomes comfortable with himself….and
his path in life….he has confidence…..he has loved and
learned, and now shares that wisdom with others…..he
refuses to settle for less than he knows he deserves and/or is
capable of….he knows how to treat a woman, and how to
truly understand her…..he knows a good bourbon and a
better cigar…….and last, but not least, he knows what it
truly means to be a man…..”
Now, thanks to Amy, I live my life to honor what her erudite
words have laid out for me… and I LOVE IT!!
Being fifty-five, the “Big 55,” the “Double-Nickel” is really cool!
Thank you again, Amy.
Think about it, who else is 55? Michelle Pfieffer, Steve
Buscemi, Alec Baldwin, Caroline Kennedy, Andie MacDowell, Anita Baker, Reggie
Theus, Maria Conchita Alonso, Ellen DeGeneres, Russell Simmons,
Kelly McGillis, Denis Leary, Donny Osmond, Sheila E, Lyle Lovett, Donna Dixon,
Holly Hunter, Gary Cole, Giancarlo Esposito, Melanie Griffith, Matt Lauer, Laura
Branigan, Ice T, Eve Plumb, Gloria Estefan, Martin Luther King III, Timothy
Busfield, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Tony Cox, Steve Schirripa (former Sopranos
star, now author of my favorite parenting book, Big Daddy’s Rules – yes,
I’m a Big Daddy: Big Mouth, Big Temper, and Big Heart), and Linda Kozlowski, to
name just a few.
Buscemi, Alec Baldwin, Caroline Kennedy, Andie MacDowell, Anita Baker, Reggie
Theus, Maria Conchita Alonso, Ellen DeGeneres, Russell Simmons,
Kelly McGillis, Denis Leary, Donny Osmond, Sheila E, Lyle Lovett, Donna Dixon,
Holly Hunter, Gary Cole, Giancarlo Esposito, Melanie Griffith, Matt Lauer, Laura
Branigan, Ice T, Eve Plumb, Gloria Estefan, Martin Luther King III, Timothy
Busfield, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Tony Cox, Steve Schirripa (former Sopranos
star, now author of my favorite parenting book, Big Daddy’s Rules – yes,
I’m a Big Daddy: Big Mouth, Big Temper, and Big Heart), and Linda Kozlowski, to
name just a few.
I’m in GREAT company!! I’ve also have some amazing personal
friends who are 55. So, who am I to not get with the program and be the vital,
energetic, stylish, confident, secure, competent, fun, and sexy person that
being 55 dictates?
friends who are 55. So, who am I to not get with the program and be the vital,
energetic, stylish, confident, secure, competent, fun, and sexy person that
being 55 dictates?
I never could drive 55, so why start now? This is gonna be a
GREAT year!!
GREAT year!!
That’s the point!
– Tony
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