@IndianaScott- I find that I try and fight getting older but I never win! I can slop on as many serums and oils on my body as I want but still have to chase parts of my body on their downward road and wonder when that happened! Is this really me in the mirror? I've had to work hard in my life to mature from an overprotected upbringing and I'm happy that I have gotten over the worst of it but have held on to some playful times. As Ginger said, "not very well" at somethings because I'm in bed before the times that I use to go out partying. I tire so much more easily than I used to so spending long days frolicking somewhere is out of the question. I spend more time at home, even before the pandemic. I can look at things more from afar and enjoy them as Ginger says, from a different perspective. I delight more in being in nature than making sure that I have some makeup on for my walks. I care less about what people say or think of me and think more about how I can help people, how can I change to be a better person? I try to be more empathetic and less bossy or aggressive. I'm competitive and love to win but question more what is important in the verbal exchange.

I'm glad that I have lived far longer than I expected to with lung cancer. I've lived almost 23 years more than what was anticipated. It's put me in the fast lane of growing up in one way and has made me step back and slow down in others. I've overcome addictions and recovered from bad choices. I can look back at them more with thinking, boy, was that stupid and flushing less from self embarrassment.

I don't love the idea of knowing that most likely I've lived more than 75% of my life. But I'd much rather be me, here and now, with all that I have and love. I have surprised myself. I thought that I'd age with less finesse, kicking, and screaming. I'm still surprising myself!