I went to bed last night probably like most others after having watched "the ball" drop in Times Square on television. Having toasted in the new year with my family, I trotted off to bed wondering how 2014 might be different for me and my family. Once hunkered down in my electric blanket, I thought ahead, anticipating of what life has to offer. Just next week our family will grow again with the addition of a new niece or nephew, and a few months afterward, another niece is getting married. With college decisions hanging in the air for my youngest, our 2014 calendar is already filling. My brother will also be joining my sister and me in the silver side of life's downhill slope next month with a party to celebrate...and with those warm and fuzzy thoughts dancing in my head, I drifted off for a long winter's nap.

When I awoke and padded out to the kitchen this morning to get my morning coffee, I noticed somethings never change; a copy of the daily newspaper lay on the kitchen table, placed by you know who...Officer Buckle.

Most of the top half of the front page was covered in pictures of the world celebrating the New Year...followed by pictures of the infamous list. You know the one...out with old, in with the new. I quickly grabbed my coffee, reading glasses, and headed over to the fire to have a read.

The first thing that crossed my mind as I was reading the list was that I hardly knew any of the subject matter...like, what's PANKs, Side-eye, and Drinking vinegars? The one name I did recognize, though, will surely make my Colorado buddy proud...out with Beyoncé and right back in again. Phew...more stories.

After struggling my way down the columns, and even though I didn't know who most were, it left me feeling kind of sad...that same kind of sad I experienced in junior high school days, and still witness among some teenagers today. Why does the old have to go out? To make room for the new? I don't buy it. It's new...not better....just different.

Is this what we're teaching our young?...move over, I've found somebody new?

Some might argue...say I'm not interested in advancement...but that's not it. It's just the pushy, crass, move over feeling that hurts.

Is this my silver talking? Maybe. My sentiment? Maybe. But what are we making room for? Gourmet marijuana recipes?

The Silver Side of Life