This coming week will complete another spin around the sun for me. This milestone always invites a period of reflection, and I hope you’ll forgive me—this will be a very personal blog post.
62 times.
It’s astonishing how brief the journey feels. As a kid, I remember waiting in line for Space Mountain at Disney World. The wait seemed endless, much like my years in school, trying to figure out how to fit in and understand the rules of the world. Then, in a flash, I was buckled into the ride, the lights strobing, adrenaline rushing, much like the transition into college and graduate school. Suddenly, life accelerate, its twists, turns, and sheer speed catching me off guard. Now, with the ride winding down, I find myself wanting to slow time, to savor every exhilarating drop.
20.2 years
That’s the average number of years a person in the U.S. can expect to live once they reach 62. Of course, “average” is a broad brush. I wonder where I fit in that spectrum. My paternal grandfather made it only into his early 70s, and my father into his late 70’s, not exactly a record for longevity. But maybe I’ll benefit from my mom’s side, where relatives saw their late 80s, and my mother herself still lives independently in her mid-80s. I find hope in those possibilities. I also realize that being 80 and frail is not something I hope for as well. I want to live my best life so exercise both physically and mentally are important. I am giving myself the space for constant maintenance and with luck improvement.
242 weeks
When I break things down, I realize that 242 weeks is all I might have left on this little blue dot. That’s just 242 weekends to spend with the people who mean the most to me. Thinking of it that way, each week becomes even more precious—a chance to create memories, share laughter, and hold those I love a little closer. My best friends joined me in New York this summer. A guy's weekend where we laughed and ate well for a few days. We don’t get to do this as often with family commitments, but I cherish those moments.
In the grand scheme of things, I’m a tiny blip in the universe, but within my own circle, I matter and they matter to me. With each passing week, I feel a stronger urge to be truly present, appreciating the people who make life genuine. It’s so easy to assume things will always stay the same, but life offers no guarantees. Living in the moment has always been a challenge for me, but as these weeks tick by, I’m trying to give the present a larger place at the table.
1697 days
That’s how many days I might have left to see my family, hopefully more, with a bit of luck. It’s a finite number, which makes every day with them feel both fragile and invaluable. I think of this crazy idea of the family moving to Portugal almost 4 years ago. There were times where I thought we had made a horrible mistake but now I realize that we all benefited greatly from this life changing move. The move probably made me mentally younger, but it still was a guidepost reminding me just how quickly time passes and how very important it is to savor them. Life wouldn’t have the meaning it does without the love and connection we share.
2.24 times
As I consider not just time but also resources, I’m reminded that planning for the future is still important. Even into your 60’s and through your 80’s.
2.24 times is the number of times money could still compound with an 8% rate of return. Even in my 60s, there’s still a meaningful investment horizon. I couldn’t write this post without touching on something financial. It’s just a part of how I see the world and my own journey.
Be well,
