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Today I Crossed a Milestone

Today I crossed a milestone in a most eventful life
Fourscore years of wonder in a world awash in strife
I’ve kept a sense of humor in the face of utter gloom
Honored my commitments, married an incredible wife.
I’ve lived through awful wars and horrible pandemics
Frightening social upheavals with prejudices endemic,
But I’ve also seen a great many achievements for good
Encountered a majority of  folks doing what they should
I’ve loved and lost, while enjoying many friendships
Along the way, and I can say, I’ve had a darn good run,
So when I go, I hope folks’ll say, “He surely did have fun!”
Please no tears when you learn I’ve bought the farm
I’ve tried to live my life without doing anyone harm,
I’ve done the best I could with what little I was given
I’m looking forward to a longer run, of course, in heaven.

written on December 5, 2021
my 80th birthday!

Copyright © L Milton Hankins | Year Posted 2021

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Caren Krutsinger Date: 12/8/2021 8:38:00 AM Happy Birthday Hank! "But I’ve also seen a great many achievements for good Encountered a majority of folks doing what they should" I love this one. It is now going onto my FAVE list. Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 12/8/2021 11:46:00 AM Well thanks so much, Caren. I don't get many FAVES, so I really appreciate them when they come along. I had a wonderful birthday!

Delice Arleen Skelly Date: 12/6/2021 7:45:00 AM I crossed this milestone beginning of November. Think I have been in denial ever since..Time really does fly and it is so precious...Delice Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 12/6/2021 8:36:00 AM That is true, Delice. When one reaches our age, one realizes it's almost over, quite frankly. And we simply try to live and do our best in our twilight years.

Charles Messina Date: 12/6/2021 3:48:00 AM We live our lives the best we can with what we've been dealt with. It's up to us to make the best of it, and for what I see and know about you, Milton. You have achieved those goals as well as anyone. Wishing you a very Happy Birthday my good friend. ~CM Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 12/6/2021 8:37:00 AM Thank you so much, Charles, for your warm and thought comments. Thanks for your birthday wishes. I hope you have a marvelous holiday season.

Marilene Evans Date: 12/5/2021 6:41:00 PM So honest to goodness poem, Milt. Happy Birthday again. Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 12/5/2021 6:51:00 PM Ah, thanks a million, Marilene. I really appreciate it.

Bill Baker Date: 12/5/2021 3:51:00 PM Happy Birthday Milt. A nice tribute to your life (so far). I enjoyed the read. Many more Milt, and may peace and joy fill your remaining years. Your Texas Friend, Bill Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 12/5/2021 4:51:00 PM Thanks, Bill. I hope I have many more, but when you get to be eighty, you know you're probably three-quarters through at least. (chuckling)

David Kavanagh Date: 12/5/2021 2:30:00 PM A wonderful selfless poem to celebrate your 80th birthday Milton, my favourite line, (you tried to live life without doing others any harm), got to be your passport to heaven, Happy Birthday, Captcha PPP so I’m off to have one now, cheers David Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 12/5/2021 4:52:00 PM Thanks so much for your well-wishes, David. I appreciate you.

Ilene Bauer Date: 12/5/2021 1:15:00 PM happy birthday, milton! a fine poem to honor the occasion! wishing you many more... Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 12/5/2021 4:52:00 PM Ilene, good friend, thanks so much for your well-wishes on this my 80th birthday.

P.S. Awtry Date: 12/5/2021 12:36:00 PM Happy birthday Milton! Here’s to many more years and adventures! :) Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 12/5/2021 4:53:00 PM Well, we can always hope, P. S. Yes, I'm going to count on it.

Anselmo Boles Date: 12/5/2021 12:34:00 PM Happy Birthday Milt! Whether you celebrate it with colorful balloons and a multi-colored cake, or simply a fervent prayer of profound gratitude for living life your way, it's what gives you utmost joy within that matters most. Here's a wish for you, for decades more of significant writing!...ab Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 12/5/2021 4:54:00 PM Thanks, Anselmo, but I'll settle for three or four more good years...don't think in terms of a decade when you reach this milestone! Thanks, too, for your best wishes.

Lin Lane Date: 12/5/2021 12:06:00 PM A milestone it is, Milt. I don't celebrate birthdays, but I hope your day only gets better from here. Keep your years of experiences flowing through your keyboard...pen...whichever you use. Login to Reply Lin Lane Date: 12/5/2021 12:24:00 PM You're welcome. I got tired of looking for scraps of paper and note pads with phrases or thoughts on them. A computer allows us to be so much better organized. L Milton Hankins Date: 12/5/2021 12:12:00 PM Thanks, Lin. I used a pen for years, then switched to the computer. Easier composing, correcting, storing, etc. Thanks so much for your well-wishes!

Tom Cunningham Date: 12/5/2021 11:56:00 AM A fantastic milestone Milton, sounds like you've had a ball. Hope you've had an enjoyable day. Tom Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 12/5/2021 9:48:00 PM Tom, I don't know how to say THANK YOU enough for the really nice Blog you put up for my birthday. Wow! Nice job and you even captured my ugly face!!!! Some many warm wishes appeared there. So, thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!!! L Milton Hankins Date: 12/5/2021 12:13:00 PM Tom, thanks. I've made it a point to enjoy life. No use grumblin' or complainin' it is what it is and then it's over.