Cracks in my invincibilities

(669 words)



I confess now to the conceit that I once felt certain I was going to survive to a ripe old age. 



In fact, when I turned 50 and was asked to include my age on any application, I would write “050,” so confident was I of triple-digit longevity.



And there were times, yes, when I with swelled-head would think I was destined to surpass even 100 years. Say, 105? 110?



No. I