Has another year really flown by? I Wrestle with Turning 49 by Jamie Gilcig

jg2CFN – My gosh another year has zipped by.  I will be turning 49 this week.  Ominous.  That means next year would be the big 5-0!

Some people age better than others.   For me the reality that my mortal body is slowly crumbling, my senses starting to dim, and that time seems to be speeding up while I seem to be speeding down isn’t as comforting as to some.

I know.  50 is supposed to be the new 35; but isn’t that just candy spin?    Getting old kinda sucks.  Yes, all that wisdom and knowledge is wonderful, but I’d trade it in a minute to be 29 again.

 

It’s been an interesting year.  CFN has been a brutal struggle as we’ve continued to be persecuted by the Mayor and his minions.   There have been some very dark and stormy days, but there have been more bright ones in some ways.

As I’ve shared if all I cared about in this world was money I certainly wouldn’t be living in Cornwall Ontario and trying to build a media company from a city where most media outlets farm their minimum wagers.

Good gosh Marlon Brando had the best eyebrows ever….

Mel with Pudgy
Mel with Pudgy

I lost a dog this year.  Poor Pudgy passed away after a disc in his back slipped and went into his spine.

Fitzy RingI adopted Fitzy who has been a real treasure.

I was illegally removed from City Council.

Locally I lost some people whom I thought were friends, and discovered some people that really have had their eyes opened and discovered new friends in the oddest of places.

I’ve learned a lot.   Justice in this world really does have a price.   Scars have healed.  Some fresh ones were borne.    It’s been a blast.   With my birthday in July it’s a great time to recalibrate.  I like to do it twice per year; once at New Years and once on my B Day.

The most valuable and frustrating thing for me is time and energy.   It’s just impossible to do all the things I want to do; at least do them well.    CFN turns five in February and that’s a huge milestone and some would say testament to my commitment to this newspaper and community.

I’m not big on celebrating my birthday after a certain age. It’s just a reminder that I’ve probably used up more of my life than remains which means how I use the time I have left on this planet is more important now than probably ever before and that it has to be used well and I need to make the most of it.

Whatever happens after we leave this mortal coil is still unknown.  While there are many beliefs in this world nobody really has the proof.    And I’m truly gifted and lucky to have a few options.

I’m hoping my 49th year is better than my 48th.   I’m hoping that some justice and sense take over some of the leaders of this community and that I and CFN  don’t end up being another victim of corruption and injustice.      I see seeds of change growing; but little plants need protection from the elements and nasty bugs.

And with elections (hopefully a clean one in Cornwall this time)  coming closer and closer the true hope for change is there for myself and others.

While there are some big changes coming up for CFN this year as well and my role will be changing.    It reminds me that nobody in this world is irreplaceable.

And now the fun part.  I get to do a little bit of shopping for presents 🙂

Thank you to all who have helped make this all possible.

Jamie Gilcig – Editor & Founder – The Cornwall Freenews

Coffey

14 Comments

  1. Happy Birthday Jamie hope all your wishes come true I cannot even imagine life without CFN so stay strong Cornwall needs you to help clean up this corrupt town,doing a good job & you have a lot of support

  2. My Mohawk teacher once told me, you can either be old, or be an elder.

    Thanks for your service to the community and happy birthday!

  3. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU JAIME! You are only going to be 49 and still very young yet. Wait until you are my age then you wonder how many more years left. This old gal walks every morning and appreciates everyday to see the beautiful nature and all.

    Give a pat to those beautiful dogs for me. Last Friday I patted a dog in the park who was all wet from being in the Rideau River and we were talking to his owner. The very best company there is and the very best friend and very loyal indeed. You are so very lucky. Humans come and go but the dogs give their most honest love there is. You take care of yourself and my little furry friends.

    All the best to you Jamie whether its your birthday and every day.

  4. Happy Birthday Jamie and here’s to many more!!!

    You are still in your prime at 49.

    Age doesn’t matter unless your cheese. **smile**

  5. Happy Birthday my friend! Loved the article! Head up….You’re NOT done yet!!!

  6. Forty-nine? You’re still a puppy. Sad thing is that once you hit fifty, every year goes by twice as fast as the last one.

  7. Happy Birthday Jamie with the hope of many more.

    As we become older we are more reflective of our past ,but yet more receptive of the future and what positive impacts we leave on our small blue planet as our time to meet our maker nears.

    Life is for this living ,one should grasp it and enjoy every minute for one never noes when their time will come.

    Jamie I enjoyed your article and obviously while writing it you had much reflection on life past and of what the future brings.

    Reflection can be near spiritual as it brings into being ones past with ones future en-devours and what has made you so distinct and yet mortality sits in the background.

    As you can see Jamie your article has made me briefly reflective of my own in a busy life that often does not allow me to do so .
    Thank you

    Jamie 49 is young ,our bodies may occasionally remind us of our age ,but in reality its the spirit that keeps you young.
    Remain passionate and keep up your zeal for life .

    Thanks again for that time of reflection and Happy 49th .

  8. Happy Birthday, Jamie, and Many Happy Returns!

    You’re a Leo. Keep roaring!

  9. Happy Birthday Jamie!

    Keep up the great work!!!

  10. Happy Birthday Jamie ,

    Hoping you Enjoy your time surround by family and Friends.

    P.S People why would you gives a thumbs down when posters are wishing Jamie a Happy Birthday it is to be reflective of the person’s responses and not just because you do not like the poster.

    Very interesting !

  11. Happy Birthday Jamie! Have a nice “ONE”

  12. It’s not so bad being 49 Jamie, nor going through the next wall. At least it is not the reverse, eh, like 94!

    Some say it’s yet another rite of passage to be mature and to finally take ownership of who you are and where you are going with it. It’s your final leg up on retirement planning before you miss the boat.

    Do not believe that you will never make it. Not a good place to be if you haven’t lined up those sheckles.

    The good news is you are still here doing what you love.

    Congrats on another year, too.

  13. Jamie, all the best my friend, you are making a difference.
    Dont sweat the the years now, you have time for that later.
    Remember going forward, its all about health, friends and
    our animals.
    My glass is raised to you, I have a feeling this year will be
    a very good one for you.
    A tip of the hat to you
    GerryW

  14. Jamie when my husband’s nephew was living in LA I spoke to him on the phone and he was only in his 20’s at the time. He kept pondering about his age and life. I told him wait until you are 35 and you will see your life go by a lot more quickly and after thinking about it I received another call when he was 37 and said to me that I was right about life going by more quickly after 35. I said the same thing to my son who is now 35 and he is seeing that is true. As a young child he and my daughter wanted to be grown up and now that they are adults they wish to be children again. Life doesn’t wait for any of us. I do have a lot of laugh lines on my face to prove my age and just a while ago my daughter said to me that I am always laughing. I told her that “laugh and the world laughs with you and cry and your cry alone.” That is one of my motos as well. At age 62 I don’t know how long I have left but whatever time I have left I would rather live happily than to be always sad.

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