Please Share 3 Things You Appreciate about Being Old

Posted by Miriam, Volunteer Mentor @mir123, Nov 27 10:00am

It's Thanksgiving, so I'm looking at the positive. Some folks don't like the word "old" but I don't mind it. You can substitute "aging" if you prefer! I'm thrilled to be 71 and looking at 72. Due to serious health concerns in my youth I never expected to make it this far. So here goes--and I hope you can join in.

My Three Positive Things

1. I know what my ethics and beliefs are, and I'm no longer worried I might betray them because of outside pressure.
2. I can tell a good story based on life experience.
3. I'm less self critical. My mom told me that if she made a mistake she'd say "you're so clumsy" to herself. When she turned 80 she changed and told herself "you're doing great!"

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Aging Well Support Group.

kllevinson | @kllevinson | Dec 2 10:55am

In reply to @kllevinson "1.more wisdom 2. appreciation of all living things. 3. Believe in something bigger than ourselves." + (show)

@kllevinson hugs to everybody

gussie | @gussie | Dec 2 11:54am

I'm 84 my husband is 80. He still runs his own commercial real estate firm. I have a rare disease called CVID or Common Variable Immuno Deficiency Disease. If it wasn't for the fact that there is other peoples plasma that I inject myself with every week to get their antibodies I don't know that I would have lived so long and still be able to walk two miles a day and visit my daughters that live far away from me. Years ago this plasma wouldn't have been around.

larryg333 | @larryg333 | Dec 2 12:06pm

Happy.
Being retired / enjoying it.
Staying healthy -- able to do a variety of exercises / physically independent.
Strong.
Excellent eyesight.
Mind is still sharp.
Can still sing / play my instruments... just got back to performing publicly last month (previously was caring for my girlfriend / wife of 58 years -- she passed in March, and I still have occasional "crying days"). Improving my handyman skills.
Time for reading / hobbies.
Living in a beautiful house in a beautiful area.
Have a few friends and some family nearby.
Able to afford all necessities.
And many more blessings.

All the best to all!

/LarryG

kllevinson | @kllevinson | Dec 2 4:50pm

In reply to @kllevinson "1.more wisdom 2. appreciation of all living things. 3. Believe in something bigger than ourselves." + (show)

@kllevinson

joanland | @joanland | Dec 2 5:14pm

In reply to @happilyalive "I love that the word "old" is not a four letter word. :) I love that..." + (show)

@happilyalive
You gave me a great chuckle with your answers. My daughter is constantly telling me about the answers she gets when she queries AI. I don't bother.

emaureen | @emaureen | Dec 2 6:32pm

No pimples.

happilyalive | @happilyalive | Dec 2 8:56pm

In reply to @joanland "@happilyalive You gave me a great chuckle with your answers. My daughter is constantly telling me..." + (show)

I can relate to your daughter. Just dealing with it on the telephone when I phone my doctor is enough to make me wonder about the entire push to have it lead in the business world. Have a great day.

centre | @centre | Dec 3 12:15pm

1) Not being “in charge” of my children anymore- they’re all grown up, got their education, in good jobs related to their fields, married. Their kids are their’s to be in charge of now, mine to enjoy.
2) Worked hard from high school summers, through college and summers, full-time, part-time (when mom), then full time to retirement. Resulted in social security and pension income for a middle class lifestyle.
3) Grateful for reasonably good health, brother and SIL nearby, together often,
nice not to have to work- in my 50’s, worked full-time job 7-3:30 M-F, then went to part time job 4-6:30, then one weekend day at another job. I was determined not to go into retirement with a mortgage, and we live in a small ranch in a rural area. My husband had a hefty alimony biweekly payment until he turned 65, he refused to work even a day past his 65th. So, getting the mortgage paid off faster was on me and I did it. Proud of myself.