Well, tomorrow, January 28, I will turn 65 years old. For those of you reading this who've already passed that number, please don't tell me how I should feel!
I remember how I dreaded turning 50. I really thought my life would change dramatically when that happened. It didn't! Then came 60 and I dreaded that number too. I mean, I always considered 60+ as old. Now that I'm entering that 65 number I don't consider it old at all. My mother is 87 and one of my best friends is 84 and still doing all of the things he likes to do...just a little slower :)
As I think about it 65 is just a number and though it is considered retirement age for many people, others consider it an age of opportunity. I knew a man who was a veterinarian until around that age and then he became a lawyer. He was a joy to be around! I'm not sure how a person is supposed to feel at 65 but I feel pretty good! I mean, I think I'm in relatively good health. I hardly ever get colds or the flu. I can do practically anything I want to do. I don't run as fast as I did when I was younger, but I don't really want to. I don't jump from any place higher than two feet from the ground, but then, I really don't want to do that either! But I don't look at 65 with dread because I've learned: 1. It's going to happen unless the Lord determines otherwise; 2. It's only a number and it really doesn't mean anything. I develop a foot problem about once a year that hurts like the dickens for a few days and up to a month, but other than that, hey, I'm good to go!
I've known some very disabled people who are young and I've known some very spry people who are "old". I've known people who have been ravaged by disease at a relatively young age, and I've known people who have escaped such things even in their 80's. I am convinced that, though we slow down a bit and we may develop some plumbing issues, we grow hair where we didn't, and we acquire wrinkles (though I have been blessed in that area), turning 65 is really no big deal other than, for many Social Security checks will begin providing you don't draw early.
Maybe it's different for men, to some degree, than it is for women. Biologically men tend to mellow a bit and women tend to become more assertive. Hormonal balance kind of reverses for both sexes but it's o.k. 'cause by the time it happens you feel pretty well prepared for it.
My wife and I adopted children later in life so our children are still unmarried (so far) and there are no grandchildren. Maybe when they have children I will start to feel old but until that happens I've
got my fishing poles cleaned up, the ice auger is ready to go, and I'm ready to hit the ice! So #65 step aside, I'm rolling over you!
2 Thumbs up Darryl!
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