Rockwall County (August 15, 2025) – My fascination with decennial birthdays began when I turned 10 and thought it was cool that I had two digits in my age! I turned 20 while in college, and what I remember of that night I won’t discuss here! I was terrified that I was getting old when I turned 40, so to avoid my anxiety I had a surprise birthday party. However, the surprise was on my guests, as Mark Mullaney and I unveiled our Blues Brothers show – an act we continued for three years!
Upon each decennial birthday I’ve analyzed my life, and 70 is no different, but seemingly more significant. At 60, I told friends I was old, but everyone tried to tell me I wasn’t. “60 is the new 50” and similar trite phrases helped to hide my senior citizen status. However, at 70 it’s different, with people more likely to say kind things like, “I wouldn’t have guessed you’re 70,” or, more ominously, “You’ve had a good life.”
Seventy seems a line of demarcation in life. I recently described it to a friend by saying that at 50 I thought about planning my retirement years; but at 70 I think about a shorter time horizon and am concerned about leaving a messy estate or a bunch of stuff for my children to deal with when I’m gone. That’s not a morbid thought, it’s just recognizing that we no longer live during the Book of Genesis, and living hundreds of years on earth is not a realistic option.
There are many reasons for a different perspective at 70. Significantly, death seems prevalent. I am an orphan and the buffer of the older generation is gone. My father died 36 years ago and my mother died last summer. I’ve also lost many friends in recent years. This troubling trend seemed to increase during Covid, but it has continued since – probably due to the advanced age of my friends and I. Personal health issues (I’m one year past surgery and cancer free, praise God!), the onset of physical frailty (I’ll never again dance on tables at a wedding), and having grandchildren in college have all contributed to a shift in my outlook.
In a nutshell, when you’re 70 you remember your parents saying that you could be whatever you wanted, but you also realize that most of those unlimited options have been foreclosed by the passage of time.
Seventy is a great time for evaluating your life – past, present and future – and for focusing on what really matters. The past? Well, I’ve had a great life to this point. I have never feared the unknown, which has allowed me to try many different things and left me with enough experiences and stories to be able to share endlessly with anyone willing to listen.
Evaluating my present is as challenging, as it is fleeting. I realize that my present will quickly swallow my future; so it’s imperative that I live each day purposefully and intentionally. Several years ago I passed my father’s age at his death, and had an epiphany that changed my life (https://blueribbonnews.com/2020/02/its-not-a-bucket-list/). I now try to live each day doing things that are meaningful to me, making the memories of each of my yesterdays worth the price of losing one of my tomorrows.
Evaluating my future sharpens my focus on living each of my todays. I may live another 30 years, or I may not make it to my 71st birthday, but if I live each day focusing on what I want my future to be, I will live a full rest of my life. My son Lorne recently said that what he wanted most from me was more time together. That simple request has caused me to carefully craft relationships not just with him, but with everyone in my life. I want to increase the time I spend with my children and grandchildren; I want to be a mentor to those who think my life experiences and store of wisdom are valuable; and I want to have a positive impact on everyone I interact with.
Reflecting on 70 wouldn’t be complete without further exploring my faith. I was born into a family of strong Christian faith, and, despite my sins and failings, I have tried to live that faith model all my life. My belief that there is eternal life in Heaven, becomes even more important as that day of experiencing the afterlife draws closer. At 70 I want to study more about eternity so that in my last conscious moment I am fearlessly ready to take that next step and experience that next adventure.
The Bible says that the conclusion reached from analyzing life is to fear God and keep His commandments. My ultimate reflection on turning 70 is just that simple: to keep trying to fulfill God’s purpose for my remaining life: to love my wife, children and grandchildren; to serve my community; to maximize quality time with friends; and to show God’s love to everyone I meet.
I’M TURNING 70??? So what!!! I can’t wait for my 80th!
By Lorne Liechty, a community service addict. He currently serves as Rockwall County Commissioner for Precinct 3.
The View from Seventy by Lorne Liechty added by Melanie M on
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