“When grace is joined with wrinkles, it is adorable.  There is an unspeakable dawn in happy old age.”  Victor Hugo

The time between 50 and 60 is now considered middle aged. It’s the time you start receiving solicitations from AARP. You’re at the pinnacle of your career. You may have a decent savings and retirement plan. Your children are about to be kicked out of the nest. I’m talking about the 1980s here. Today, most kids are still living at home until they’re 30. Women start thinking about menopause and men are having mid-life crises. Most in this age group are still in pretty good health for the most part.

When I turned fifty, life came crumbling down on us. My husband lost his successful advertising agency. It seemed like 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 prayed and pushed on. We took a look at starting all over again, but not before humbling ourselves, yet we were grateful for the ability 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.

You may be called on to take care of your own aging parents. You prepare for your children’s weddings. You look forward to grandchildren. 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 they proceed with a litany of ailments that you can relate to.  Prepare for a long answer.

There are some steps you can take before you get to that point.  Either start when you’re in your forties to set up a plan for those retirement years.  A savings account or some type of investment is a great idea.  Even if you save a few dollars a week, it will add up to a nice nest egg when the time comes.  You can also find a job that you love, which will carry you beyond the retirement years.  As long as you’re healthy and fit, you can work right up to the day you die.

Plan to donate things you’ve collected over the years. Sell them to antique dealers or pickers.  Having garage sales is hard work at this age, so opt for an estate sale.  Before you do, choose the things that you simply can’t part with, but remember that none of it is going with you when you die – so how much value does it really have?  This can be a cathartic process.  By letting go, you’re making room for a much easier life.  Plus your kids won’t have to do it..

Plan on getting to know your spouse again.  You’ll be seeing a lot of each other.  At first you’ll get on each other’s nerves – bump into each other’s space – notice all their faults and mention them.  You’ll soon discover you don’t have the energy to have an all out argument anymore, so your disagreements aren’t as frequent.  Find time for yourself.  Don’t give up the things you like to do.  Learn to enjoy life together as you did when you first fell in love.  These years don’t have to be filled with the passion of youth, but there can still be romance.

This is just the beginning, but if you’re between the ages of 50 and 60, you’ll need to prepare. When we’re very young, we think we will live forever. When you believe in God, you know you will.

THANK YOU, JESUS, FOR ANOTHER DAY!