I have been wanting to write about this for so long that I am now only two months from turning 7 – One.
I remember the milestone birthdays, 40, 50, 60, 70, especially seventy, though 50 was interesting, since it was at Chucky Cheese.
When I was a kid, if you reached 70, you were almost done in this life. Times have changed. Healthcare has improved. We aging baby boomers have surged like crazy. There are 57.8 million of us, 17.3% of the population in US, one in six of the entire population.
I think people who turn 70 and are doing okay, brag about it. They tend to casually mention, “Well I am seventy.” I am okay with that. After we have been working toward it for a long time.
The average life span is 78. Not too far away. But if you make it to 65, odds are you will live to be, on average, 84.
It’s weird being the age of our parents when they were old. In our family, there is no one still here from our parent’s generation and even our siblings have passed. We are now the senior members of the clan.
Here are some encouraging observations:
- We neither need nor want drama.
- We finally realize we need to take care of ourselves.
- We appreciate a quiet night at home more than ever.
- We don’t have anything to prove.
- The term, “late” is getting earlier and earlier.
- Life has slowed down so we can appreciate the simple things.
- If you are like me, there is a big gap between your mental age, as evidenced by your sense of humor, and your physical age as evidenced by how you feel when you get up out of your easy chair.
- We are less sure about more things, but surer about a few things that are supremely important.
More encouragement:
- Johnny Cash made his most acclaimed recordings (the series of American Recordings produced by Rick Rubin) in his 70’s when he was suffering from a multitude of illnesses.
- Willy Nelson still has a busy touring and recording schedule at 91 and enjoys good health.
- Bruce Springsteen is still delivering long, high-energy concerts at 75.
- The list of actors over 70 is huge: Clint Eastwood, Helen Mirren, Morgan Freeman and many more.
- The point is that these artists not only kept at their craft, but they did some of their best work late in life.
The point is that these artists not only kept at their craft, but they did some of their best work late in life. We need something to do that we care about, a job, volunteer work, a hobby, or something.
My advice is to kick some butt, do your thing, don’t hold back, and above all don’t act your age. Take the wisdom you have gained and put it to use. Enjoy life. Adapt as necessary, but don’t stop. Leave a legacy of love.
God bless you my fellow septuagenarians (and my younger friends).
