Life Begins at 40

Life Begins at 40
By John Lennon

They say life begins at forty
Age is just a state of mind
If all that's true
You know that I've been dead for thirty-nine

And if life begins at forty
Well, I hope it ain't the same
It's been tough enough without that stuff
I don't wanna to be born again

Well, I tried to sweep the slate clean
With a new broom every day
If that don't work
I'll jerk around until my next birthday

Yeah, life begins at forty
Age is just a state of mind
Well, if all that's true
You know that I've been dead for thirty-nine

John Lennon wrote these words for a song that was intended to be sung by Ringo Starr for his next album.   Ringo Starr turned 40 years old in July of 1980.   John wrote this song as a country song and made a demo of it that can be found on the John Lennon Anthology.    The irony of the song hit hard after December of 1980---John was so optimistic about his 40's and just had it stolen from him.

I will turn 40 this Saturday.    I know that 40 is a big milestone and I am proud of the things I have been able to accomplish in the past 40 years.    It hard for me to think that I am old, because--well I teach 7 and 8 year olds, and they have told me that I am an old person for as long as I have been teaching.    I think what hits me the hardest in turning 40 is that I will be the same age that John Lennon was when he died.    I am not sure why this is a strange feeling, but it truly is.        I have read that Sean Lennon said something similar last year when he turned 40.    

John told me that life begins at 40---and so I am going to live my life to the fullest.