When I was around 9 years old, I learned to whistle pretty well. And when I was 59, I learned I lost it.

Really. My father was an excellent whistler. By the time my younger brother was 5 he was managing to emit little melodies. I wasn’t going to let Steve outdo me; the pressure was on to learn.

I think I got it along with blowing gum bubbles. It’s all in the mouth-mind coordination. I wasn’t worth recording, but I could exhale a tune.

In fact, it got to where I could whistle on the inhale too. I never mastered the two-finger taxi call or the air-across-grassblade tune, but back then I could breathe a song like I was my own harmonica.

A year ago I tried to whistle for the first time in I don’t know how long. Nothing came out! I couldn’t believe it. I took my problem inside and experimented.

Initially I couldn’t make a note. Then I found I could generate a weak whistle while inhaling. What the heck? Is it easier to inhale-whistle? Or was the last-acquired skill the best retained?

Over the next several months I occasionally retested my ability. Like wiggling a loose tooth or checking to see if I still have a libido, I tried to whistle now and then. I’m pleased to report that I’m regaining the knack. I’m not as good as I used to be. I suspect my best whistling days are behind me. But if this skill disappears again, it won’t be my fault.