At 17 I got the news I'd failed an exam, and it changed which university I went to. Without it I'd never have met my wife, made the friends I have, or built the career I did. Nearly everything since traces back through this one week.

The day I met my wife. Everything since is on this side of it.

The day I married my wife.

The day my son came into the world.

From this week, more of my life has been spent with my wife than without.

The midpoint of my estimated span — as much behind me as ahead.

Around here my son starts turning to friends first, and I stop being the daily centre of their world.

By this week, it is more likely than not that I have lost at least one of my parents.

My son becomes an adult.

My son likely moves out around now — 12% of the years spent living at home are already behind us.

By this week, it is more likely than not that both my parents are gone.

From this week, I have been married for more of my life than I was single.

By this week, there is a nine-in-ten chance both my parents are gone.

I turn 68 — the age Dad is right now.

Around here the healthy years typically run out; what comes after is usually lived with something wrong.

The end of my estimated span. The grid stops here.