Ages and Stages: Bob Dylan and the Iditarod

Happy Birthday, Bob!

Bob Dylan is 70 years old today.  Many of you know that Bob is one of my favorite musicians.  It’s difficult to explain and impossible to defend – yes, I’ve heard his voice.  It has something to do with his use of words, even in the songs where I really can’t decipher what they might mean.

My dad talks about “ages and stages.”  It always helps to remind me that not everything has to be accomplished today – that there are different stages in life and the goal is to find meaning where you are today.

Dylan certainly has had stages in his career and he continues to defy easy categorization.  He’s done folk, country, rock, folk-rock, traditional, and gospel.  Somehow he has managed to find an audience for each stage.

I’ve been watching a 6-part series on Netflix about the Iditarod – the dogsled race across Alaska covering more than 1,100 miles with 20-plus checkpoints along the way.  One of the competitors made the point that at the end it isn’t whose team is getting faster but whose team is slowing down less.  There are stages to the race and those who win know how to manage their teams during each stage.

Recently Judy and I were talking about the appeal of the empty-nest stage,but we’re not there yet and likely won’t be for many years to come.  So we’re finding meaning where we are today – celebrating the fullness of our nest.

May you be happy for your age and stage!  That’s my wish for Bob.

Technorati Tags: dogsled race,birthday bob,netflix,ages and stages,empty nest,different stages,checkpoints,bob dylan,iditarod,happy birthday,favorite musicians,dad,audience,alaska,rock folk