I can't explain how it happened
but I have made it to 72 years old, officially, as of this evening.
I lived through drugs, way too many, demonstrations, a variety, relationships, won't talk about those, and general life crap.
Who knows how many times I have just missed dying to get to this point. Some days it feels like parts of me are trying to move on to the other side without the rest of me, or the permission of the brain.
But here I sit/stand, anyway, a pile of animated rubble.
Woohoo...I think. 
= new reply since forum marked as read
I'm a couple of years older than you, but I know what you mean. Enjoy your birthday! 
You're still standing - that's still an accomplishment to be proud of! 
I could not resist. 
Sounds like you have spent some of your life with a foot on a banana peel, but hey--so have I. I am younger than you some, but have also made it through some iffy situations. I can count the same things you mentioned and throw in a couple of serious health scares, too. Highs and lows throughout the years test one's mettle.
I am sure though you are well-seasoned you are still brimming with life and wit in spite of feeling like rubble. Your post showed it!
I will woo-hoo you back! Well earned happy birthday!
I hope that your birthday is extraordinary.
Mine was in November and as you said, we're walking miracles. I've had my share of near-misses including dozens of "almost" car wrecks and one almost drowning, electrical shocks, falls and encounters with snakes (human and animal). My worst was near-death with alcoholism, and thank goodness that ended in 1990.
Thanks for sharing and a big birthday woohoo to you!...... ......
...... .....
.....
Every year it gets harder to make it to the next, with all my parts working and all the synapses sparking.
But DU certainly plays a big part in keeping the brain chugging along and revving up the amygdala to kill kill kill! But only metaphorically, and only those nasty people with big Rs on their forehead.
And it's the people on the board who make this place my forever home on the Web!
Hugs all around!
I hope you are doing something properly celebratory.
72 is something to brag about.
to most of you.....I think.
I'll be there soon myself
the great Mae West. 
I, too, turned 72 on Dec. 18th - and also, like you, have no idea how I made it this far. Not sure how much longer I want to hang on.
Here's wishing you many more - or not - depending on how you feel about it! 
It's the general life crap that is most impressive to navigate. Happy Birthday yesterday!