Birthday thoughts

What’s it like to write a column on my 78^th birthday? I’m about to find out. For one thing, it’s not something I can do ever again.

I’m writing today (10/9) on the anniversary of my coming into the world way back when in Buffalo, N.Y. I wouldn’t normally consider 78 to be a highly significant benchmark – but this past year, with all that has taken place in the last seven or eight weeks, it has been significant in its impact.

Age has complicated the recovery – to be sure.

But I’ll put that aside today in order to discuss how lucky I am to reach 78.

Part of my perception of being this age is driven by what I experienced through observing relatives, in-laws, and friends who have met the same plateau in past years while I was younger. The ‘old man’ of my past impressions has changed from the slow moving, taking-it-easy, possibly ill-tempered old coot. Now we see a much more vital, engaged, and dare I say hip (?) older individual. (Remember, I’m talking about MY perceptions here – but hey, look around. These old dudes are a lot flashier than in years past.)

In terms of longevity, I am the champion Klingenmeier male in my line. Starting with my father, the ages of demise of my forebears were 67, 39, 39, 47, 36, 52, and 66 (data compliments of Ancestry). Obviously, life was tougher in the 19^th and early 20^th centuries.

Which leads me to one of the points I wish to make here – I grew up and have lived in the golden age of life in the USA. The advancements in American technology, medicine, and social structures which have taken place in my lifetime have exceeded what had occurred in all the previous 400 or 500 years! And of course, I – and you – have benefited from that fact.

One of my favorite examples of this rapid change is the realization that the Wright brothers’ impressive feat of flight in December 1903 led directly to the first men landing on the moon in July 1969 – a span of less than 66 years. And that is perhaps the most profound example of the 20^th century’s impressiveness.

The benefits of living in this era of advancement have definitely aided me in my chance to age well and to reach this upper-70s birthday.

So, I realize today that I am extremely lucky to be healthy enough, mentally aware enough, and positioned well enough that I can enjoy this day for what it is to me – a celebration that Ken Klingenmeier is still around, is doing okay, and has every right to expect to be here for a few more birthdays.

Editor’s note: Ken is the oldest of all possible Klingenmeiers. You can wish him a happy birthday below.