Sometimes I hear or read a word that perks up my interest. Recently, I heard someone use the word "milestone."
Everyone probably knows at least one meaning of the word and might even know the origin of the word. Milestones were first used during the Roman empire and they were stone markers used to measure distance traveled along highways. I suppose the chariots didn't come equipped with odometers.
In most modern countries, there are milestones along the roads to guide the traveler. Few are still made from stone as most have been replaced with metal posts and reflective signs.
The other definition of the word "milestone" is "a significant point in a development." Usually the term is used in reference to memorable experiences we encounter during our lives.
As we progress down the road of life, we pass by many milestones. Some are more significant than others and vary for each individual. What was a milestone for me may have been just a bump in the road for you.
There are, however, a few common milestones, which have significance for many of us.
The first milestone marker that I can recall had a No. 5 on it. On that occasion, I was dressed in short pants, had a fresh haircut and my mom held my hand as she walked me to my first day of kindergarten. I can remember not wanting her to leave me there with all those people I didn't know. It did not take long however and I was making friends and eagerly looking forward to the next recess.
As with most teenagers, milestone No. 16 was one to be remembered. One of the high school classes I actually looked forward to taking was driver's education. Upon completion of the course and the arrival of my 16th birthday, good old dad drove me down to the state driver's license office and handed me the keys to the family auto. My only concern was the dreaded parallel parking that the examiner saved for the end of the test. Passing the exam opened a world of new adventures limited only by how much gas was in the tank.
Milestone No. 21 marked the next major life experience. I was attending college when I passed that signpost. There were no elections scheduled, so I couldn't vote for anybody. From time to time I had already been partaking in the other privilege that was bestowed upon me at 21. Still it was fun to be legal at last and, as I recall, I exercised my new adult status with a group of my rowdy friends!
At milestone No. 30 I hit a pothole. While in my 20s, I felt like a kid. I was carefree, young, healthy, and had my whole life ahead of me. All that seemed to quickly lose importance as I entered the third decade of life. I was now responsible for much more than my dirty socks and jeans. I had a job, a family and a mortgage; I had acquired personal responsibility. Life was getting more serious.
At milestone No. 40, friends and relatives believed they were being clever with the black balloons, fake gravestones on the front lawn and greeting cards that said, "Lordy-lordy, look who's 40!" As I readied myself for the "surprise" party, I noticed that my hair seemed to be a little thinner as I gazed at the furrowed brow in the bathroom mirror. Is that a little gray in my moustache? Later, at the restaurant it seemed a little more difficult to read the menu. They must have printed it in smaller type or maybe it was just the light. Surely, I didn't need glasses!
At milestone No. 50, birthdays aren't funny any more. Tell that to my friend who had 50 pink, plastic flamingos planted in his front yard along with a gaudy sign announcing to the world it was his birthday. Mixed in with all my birthday cards was a nice letter from AARP inviting me to join their wrinkled organization and explaining all of the privileges of aging and membership. The odd thing was that I began to ponder with interest all those senior discounts on the horizon.
I just sped right by milestone No. 60 and put the pedal down to the floor heading for No. 62. After 40 years of working, it was "payback time." I marched into the Traverse City Social Security office and the kind folks there put me on the government payroll. Talk about a rewards program! Besides that, I could now order a senior coffee at McDonald's. Life is good, isn't it?
Recently I found myself heading for milestone No. 65, the big one. I was faced with multiple decisions about Medicare Part A and B and did I really want or need Part D? Which one of the 20-some supplemental policies was best for me and should I get the once-in-a-lifetime pneumonia shot? I believe the decisions at the earlier milestones were far more fun and exciting. Oh well, the consolation prize this year was that I got a free flu shot compliments of my new senior status. I wonder what awaits me at the next milestone?
Ed Hungness and his wife owned their cottage on Fife Lake for six years before moving there after his retirement in 2005. He can be reached at edhungness@yahoo.com. For more of Ed's columns, log on to record-eagle.com/edhungness.
