Portrait of happy in loved senior couple
“When grace is joined with wrinkles, it is adorable. There is an unspeakable dawn in happy old age.” Victor Hugo
When you turn sixty, you’re entering the golden years of life. That’s what they tell you – who are they anyway and what do they know? Unlike most women, I wasn’t upset or depressed about this milestone. I’d begun my own business. I was busier than ever and felt I had purpose.
When we turned fifty, our life came crumbling down on us. My husband lost his successful advertising agency and we lost everything when we had to file for bankruptcy – our house went into foreclosure – our vehicles were seized. For a year or so, life was pretty dreary.
Our children were leaving the nest – or abandoning ship, depending how you look at it. In other words, our time of middle age could be construed as grounds for divorce or at least the loony bin. Still the pledge we made to each other 25 years prior meant something to us. So we pushed on.
At sixty another business or two was started. My husband discovered his love for wood sculpture and began creating works of art for some of the resorts and luxury homes. I, with all my years of volunteering in drama productions, focused my attention on building a children’s theatre company. When God closes a door, he also opens another. We continue to bump into closed doors, but have never failed with God at our side.
We were looking ahead to retirement, but the expenses incurred through average spending, were more than our income, so we had to downsize. De-cluttering is necessary for a number of reasons. Leaving that job to your children after your demise is just another thing for them to deal with. Also the longer you put it off, the harder the job becomes. The house was sold and we moved into a smaller one. Our expenses were cut in half, but our only source of income was Social Security. This meant we had to continue working to make ends meet.
During this decade doctors ask if you feel safe at home? – How many times have you fallen? You’re being prepared for old age whether you like it or not. You start holding on to things to help you stay upright. You ask friends how they are and the proceed with a litany of ailments that you can relate to. Prepare for a long answer.
During this time, we took my aging mother into our home. We had an extra bedroom and she needed constant attention because of her dependence on prescription drugs. It’s not easy taking over the role of parent to your parents, but again we muddled through. She lived with us for a year. The whole experience gave me another few years to enjoy her company.
While in this age group, we can easily fall into a trap. We sit in our chair, watch game shows on TV, look out the window, read a book or three and wait to die. Another much better option is to find a part time job, volunteer, join an exercise class, get involved in something you love to do and do it. I prefer the second option. I’d like to be around when the clock turns eighty. How about you?
atimetoshare.me 
you and paul…looking good—Gregory and I, not so much 🙂
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I wish that was us. We’re. It too bad for 76 though.
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💏
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I just had a weird experience. I clicked onto your site from one of the ‘like’ youleft on one of my posts and I got a screen display that said the author had deleted this site. I tried 3 times and again just now and it opened. ??
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I hope this takes care of it. Thanks for letting me know.
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I’m having problems commenting on your posts.
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I’m not sure what happened. I guess it must be OK, since you were able to eventually get in. I will look into it from my side and see if I need to do anything. I don’t want to miss your comments.
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I know you and others have moderating choices that doesnt bother me, and that worked later but no, I don’t know what happened. It was like the whole site was deleted just as the message said. Hope it’s al ok now.I wuld hate for any one to be hacked.
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“I’ve Decided To Live 120 Years” — that’s the title of a book on Amazon. Can you imagine living to that age?
I turned 65 a few months ago, which is the oldest I have ever been, so far. I feel much younger, though. Until I try to get up out of my chair after sitting awhile!
I recently joined the local VFW auxiliary, at my husband’s request. As a combat veteran of the war in Vietnam, he was already a member. Three other women joined the same day that I did. Two of them were eligible, not as the spouse of a war veteran, but as adult children of war veterans.
We were sequestered in a separate room, while the existing members voted on whether to accept us as members. As we were waiting, one of the women mentioned something about her brother being “old.” He was 47, she said. “That’s not old!” I said. “My son just turned 47 yesterday.”
The other women looked at me in shock. “How old are you?” one of them asked. When I replied that I am 65, she was amazed. They all were. They thought I was in my forties! ….Well, the light was pretty dim in there. 😀
It seems like I was in my forties just a couple of years ago. Back then, I thought 65 was quite old. But now that I am here… living to 120 seems like a pretty good idea!
I really admire you and your husband, Kathy. The way you’ve bounced back after bankruptcy is inspiring. My husband and I went through something similar 8 years ago, when we lost our home to foreclosure. It’s not easy to start over again when you are past middle age! But with the Lord, we made it through. And it turned out to be the best thing for us!
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Paul and I have always been opposites when it comes to showing our age. I’ve always looked old than him. I was once asked if I was his mother. He’s finally caught up with me. Our kids have fortunately inherited his ageless looks. Now both of us are the topic of amazement at our age. Mainly because we stay busy. I tried retiring once, but decided it wasn’t for me. I became so bored during that time. I can see why people go into depression or just give up living when they retire. When we lose purpose, nothing matters anymore.
I can’t imagine being 120, but think about this – Sarah was about my age when she became pregnant for the first time. How’d you like to be going through pregnancy, childbirth and child rearing at this age?
Our experience with financial loss was a blessing in disguise. I shouldn’t be surprised by that, because God has always been the center of our home and He’s never let us down. Thanks for your empathy.
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As long as we have work to do for God, our lives are filled with joyful significance…and we are young in heart. You and Paul are such an inspiring example of that to me! 💜💜 and huge hugs!!
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I believe that’s why I’m still here. God has something in mind for me to do and whatever his plan is, I know it will be good. Thanks for your kind encouragement
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