18,994 days.
My heart has beaten approximately 1,899,540,442 times in total.
i have taken approximately 417,523,886 breaths in total.
The moon has orbited the earth 695 times since i was born.
30,592,757,589 miles – the distance i have traveled as the Earth revolves around the Sun.
My finger hovered over the ‘submit’ button, but i’d already missed the deadline to apply for early retirement, at least for the current offering. “Once you submit your retirement application, it is irrevocable.”
Perhaps it’s a good thing i missed the deadline this time. Perhaps i’m not quite ready yet.
The job i have is amazing. i’ve returned to my wheelhouse – science and technology program management. Getting ideas from “proof of concept” into the realm of “prototype”. Serving as translator between scientists and customers . A necessary function, and i’m good at it.
But i keep thinking about those heartbeats… Those breaths… Those miles….
Not a milestone birthday, but today i start my 53rd year on Earth. At best i have 25-30 years left. During a good portion of those years, i will run into more physical limitations. Within the next ten years the motorcycle will certainly have to go, horseback riding will cease, and adventure travel may start to include the occasional comfy cruise…
My chances to hike into Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate decrease with each passing year.
i spent the evening doing motorcycle maintenance. Changing out a dead thermostat on the ’91 Suzuki. Coolant flush. Oil change. And thinking through the future.. Not so much “What’s next?”, but “When?”
And wondering… “How many heartbeats do i have left?”
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*Calculations extracted from this page. Highly recommend running your own numbers…
Trailer Park Refugee 