80th b-day

posted September 4th, 2023 by

Happy Labor Day. Actually I was born on Labor Day, 80 years ago. (But weren’t we all born on Labor Day . . . with all thanks to our mothers who did the work.

When I was eight I told friends I loved being eight and wanted to stay that way. After that “eight” became my favorite number.

I also like it because, turned on its side, it’s the sign of infinity, always a better age.

A friend asked what I’d like to do this year that I’ve not done. Oddly, I couldn’t think of anything. Well, maybe go to Iceland.

Looking back, it’s been full, as my three new books reveal. Finishing those, by this date, was a goal now met. I’ve said everything I have to say. At least till now. (https://www.hyattmoore.com/store/books).

(Well, my sister’s podcast added more. It’s here: https://www.hyattmoore.com/videos/interview-with-sue-donaldson)

Approaching this benchmark I’ve wondered if it would reveal some new idea for life, like Colonel Sanders coming up with a new way to do fried chicken when he was old.

Or would this life just continue with more of the same?

As it happens, both the studio and the calendar are overflowing cups. Six major painting events are in the near offing, most with distant travels. The desk is piled with projects. New paintings and new ideas keep the imagination on hum.

Moses proclaimed that the years of our lives are 70, or if there’s strength, maybe 80. Today that’s sounding a bit terminal. Ironically, he was 80 when he saw the burning bush and his life began again!

Of course my burning bush is a small fire of wick and wax on a cake, but maybe it’ll work.

He also said: “Teach us to number our days that we might apply them to wisdom.”

I asked a friend what that means and she said, “live intentionally.”

I like that, and the best I can do as I get ever-nearer to that side-ways eight.

As for goals: Like when I was eight, “No more birthdays.” I think I’ll just stay 80 from here on.

9 Comments

  1. William Havlicek Sep 4, 2023
    4:11 pm

    Salute to a fellow laborer in the field of life! Yes–you are spot on, we all were all born on labor day and let us support our mutual efforts as humble workers toward the Great Harvest where the fruit of our labor may be gathered unto His Glory. Blessing on your birthday! Best, Bill

  2. Paul Carden Sep 4, 2023
    4:36 pm

    Looking forward to listening to the podcast!

  3. Bill Lineberger Sr Sep 4, 2023
    6:19 pm

    Happy Birthday Hyatt! Thank you for your support of Gethsemane Garden Christian Centre over the years since you visited Mfangano Island, Kenya in 2004! I celebrated my 80th birthday August 29, 2023. Hope to see you again someday soon! Warmly in Jesus Christ,
    Bill

  4. Aida Yabut Sep 4, 2023
    7:10 pm

    Congratulations! I will be following you in 3 1/2 years! What’s wonderful is that Psalm 92 speaks about us and our posterity. 12) “The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
    Those who are planted in the house of the Lord
    Shall flourish in the courts of our God.
    They shall still bear fruit in old age;
    They shall be fresh and flourishing,
    To declare that the Lord is upright;
    He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.”

    I never saw myself as a palm tree–maybe a coconut tree? I’m more like an avocado tree. They take so much longer to grow fruit!

    God Bless You, Hyatt! You were, are, and will always be a blessing with every painting!

    Aida

  5. Denise Sep 4, 2023
    8:52 pm

    Happy Birthday!!!

    So my mom was born in 1029, SO She was Always 29!

    So you could be 43 for life too!!!

    :D

  6. Franziska Moser Sep 5, 2023
    7:18 am

    Congratulations on your 80th birthday!
    May God richly bless you and yours.
    I love your writing, which I got to know and appreciate when you were director of an NGO. When in your blog I saw that you authored 3 books I ordered them via Amazon. I’m really looking forward to reading them.
    Greetings from Switzerland, Franziska

  7. Carmen Sep 14, 2023
    6:08 pm

    Hyatt
    Happy 80 th (69th) birthday!!!!
    You accomplish more in one day than a 50 year would.
    God has not finished with you yet bc you still have more beautiful
    Art to create, more wisdom to share, and more place to visit with
    Your wonderful wife Anne.
    God bless you Hyatt.

  8. Adele Roberts Sep 15, 2023
    9:54 am

    Happy birthday! You are a flourishing tree in God’s house!

  9. Pam and John Ritter Sep 26, 2023
    12:50 pm

    Hyatt and Anne, you grace the halls of our home with your beautiful and meaningful works of art. This is an answer to prayer. All who enter our home are pulled into another life, another saint from the bible, who’s story we can share. What a privilege.
    Blessings on you Hyatt, and may you live another 80!!!
    John and Pam