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My God, my 60th birthday’s barreling down fast. There’s less than one month to go and I’m feeling a funny brew. There’s definitely a “Holy moly, how did I get here?” vibe. After all, I was twenty-five a week ago. But underneath all that is something else, a funny hum I couldn’t put my finger on until recently.

Wait…that funny hum is excitement and possibility! Even at this advanced age, life beckons.

Getting to this stage feels like entering a new level of education, the “School of Later Years.” If 90-somethings are the dignified seniors, then us sixty-somethings are the brash freshmen. After all, we’re the generation of Haight-Ashbury, Free Love, Erica Jong’s “Fear of Flying,” Women’s Liberation, mini skirts, and of course, the Rolling Stones.

I grew up watching the world shift from “Father Knows Best” to Janis Joplin and Woodstock.  On the news was the latest death toll from Vietnam, peace protests, women burning their bras, and the assassination of Martin Luther King.

It was cool to be young and hopelessly sad to be old.

Now I look around, shaking my head. How did I get here?

For many of us, that sense of rebellion never left. I know sixty-somethings that still play in rock bands, ride motorcycles, and guys who wear their hair long (okay, those who still have hair).

Yet there’s no denying there’s a shift in perspective.

This age reminds me of being in a plane. The announcement has come on to return tray tables to an upright position. Initial descent has begun. Hopefully the actual landing will be a long time away (and not too bumpy), but I can’t help looking out that window, watching for those first signs of the earth below.

In the meantime, here are my goals…

Keep Learning — Unlike certain politicians who claim to know everything, I realize the more I know, the more I don’t know. Knowledge is fluid and never-ending. We’re always students. We’re never done. And that’s what makes life exciting. For me, that means reading. I’ll always have a huge stack of books to get through. They’ll always be my fount of wisdom, entertainment, and enrichment.

Keep Exploring – Ah… the world beckons. And yes, money and health are always factors, but while that green light is on, I plan to gun it. Here’s my short list: Greece, India, Japan, the Grand Canyon, and Nashville (strange list I know, but whatever). There’s nothing more exciting than seeing a new place for the first time. I get misty-eyed. If I’m lucky, I’ll have many of those moments ahead.

Keep Growing – By this, I mean independence. My husband Randy and I have been married 36 years. We’ve always been a great team. But these days we give each other space. He needs to be the musician who plays all night. I’m in my pajamas by 10:00 p.m. I need to explore the world. After decades of corporate travel, he’s done. We’re learning to allow each other freedom to grow as people. It’s a different phase of marriage, but an important one.

Strangely, I get happier as I age. I was a mess when I was young. I looked good on the outside, but inside was a cauldron of self-doubt, insecurity and annoyance. I wanted life to change quickly. I had no patience.

Now it’s the opposite. The outside has weathered, but the inside is more content. I get sad when I hear women sixty-plus bemoaning their years and putting themselves down, especially physically. I’ve never understood lamenting over time given – especially if it’s been mostly good. And I get that health factors into everything, which is even more reason to celebrate if the old jalopy’s still running smoothly (or running at all).

Like many people, I’ve decided my sixties will be my second adolescence. The doubts of youth have subsided. There are no small sticky hands to clean or school calendars to adhere to. It’s open highway from here on.

And yes, it’s sad and scary to be in that initial descent. There are many more days behind than ahead.  There’s an urgency that wasn’t there before.

So what’s a girl to do? What else? Learn, explore, grow… and turn up those Rolling Stones.

 

How do you feel about your age? Comments are always welcome and if you like, please share! Thank you…

Comments(40)

  1. Well, it’s daunting. Having hit 65, i wonder how I got here! But you have the right attitude. Grow or die, that’s what I think!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 8 years ago

      Thank you, Carol. Couldn’t agree more!

  2. I hit 50 last year, and that was a trifle scary. I could no longer tick the box for those under 50 on surveys and things…. I didn’t like that much. I’m getting used to it though. Age is just a number after all. I hope I get even happier as I get older. That would truly be fabulous! I did read some research somewhere a while ago that people in their 70s and older were some of the happiest around! Here’s to the good times and a second adolescence! x

      • Laurie Stone

      • 8 years ago

      Thanks so much, Linda. If we hit these later years happy and healthy, how lucky we are. The older I get, the more of a gift I realize it is. Thank you for reading.

  3. I know what you mean about that gulp. I just hit 59 last week and it did bring me up short, wondering how in the world I got there! It just didn’t seem possible. But I’m going with your philosophy and I love you put it–as long as the light’s green, I’m going to gun it! Hope to see you out on the highway of life sometime.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 8 years ago

      Lee, I have no doubt you’ll gun it quite well! I also hope we meet someday on that highway of life. Thank you for reading.

    • Susan

    • 8 years ago

    “….I’m the same person I was back then,
    A little less hair, a little less chin,
    A lot less lungs and much less wind,
    But ain’t I lucky I can still breathe in.”
    -Maya Angelou
    You’re so right Laurie. The way we can honor ourselves best and be grateful for all we’ve been given in this life is to keep on growing! Even if the ‘old jalopy’ needs a few tune ups every now and then! ☺️

      • Laurie Stone

      • 8 years ago

      So true, Susan and I love Maya. No one says it better. Thanks so much for reading!

    • Ann Donnelly

    • 8 years ago

    Laurie that was very intuitive. Your Nana once said “living your life is like rowing upstream. If you stop you go backwards.” Keep rowing dear girl!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 8 years ago

      Love that, Ann. Never heard that one! Thanks so much for reading.

  4. I started blogging 6mo. before I turned 60 because I thought it would help me deal with the big 6 0! It did help me tremendously. It’s been 6 years now and I feel all ‘Oh the places you’ll go! The people you’ll meet!’ kind of Seussical. It is only a number. Enjoy!
    b

      • Laurie Stone

      • 8 years ago

      Barbara, It is only a number, a big one, but a number. So glad blogging helped you like its always helped me. Thanks for reading.

  5. I love your attitude about aging! I’m not that far behind you and I too, intend to embrace it. Great, inspiring post!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 8 years ago

      Thank you so much, Marcia!

  6. So well written and you made a believer out of me!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 8 years ago

      Thank you so much, Laurie!

  7. I really love your attitude! I’ll be 50 in two years and I’m not dreading it at all. As a matter of fact, hubs and I were riding home from shopping and I told him, I think I’ll go with a high/low haircut. Of course, he didn’t get it. Then I turned to him and said ,”Just wait until you see what I have in store for 50!” We can’t shrivel up and hide in a corner. We need to embrace reality and find new ways to enjoy yet another decade of living. I’m going to rock mine out as long as possible. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I wish all women would embrace the process. 🙂

      • Laurie Stone

      • 8 years ago

      Bren, Thanks so much. I agree, we have to embrace every age and meet it head on. Attitude is so important. Thanks for reading!

    • Heather

    • 8 years ago

    I am 47, so I have a bit to go to 60. However, it is women such as you, sharing your fearless approach to aging that teaches me. I have amazing older women in my life, my mom, aunts, cousins, very dear friends. I see them and listen to them. They reflect what you have written. My Gram passed 1.5 years ago at 100. That’s my goal. Thankfully, I am learning from great women how to embrace aging and meet it head on. I consider myself lucky to be 47 and excited to see how my life will continue to unfold. I thank my role models everyday.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 8 years ago

      Heather, Thanks so much. I also have had amazing, fearless women who have taught me not to fear getting older. Its a true gift and I’m very grateful. Thanks so much for reading and commenting.

  8. What a beautiful tribute to growing older! I love the goals, and the spitfire of your generation. Here’s to some earth changing yet to be done:).

      • Laurie Stone

      • 8 years ago

      Kristine, Still can’t believe I’m up there, but the years have been good. Thanks so much for reading.

    • Myriam Aponte

    • 8 years ago

    I’ve just hit that marker and I must say that it feels good!, just one week into the big 60! and already there’s a sense of deliberateness that’s almost hard to describe.. surely others including yourself will understand. I’m glad I’m not on this journey alone. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and feelings.. Myriam

      • Laurie Stone

      • 8 years ago

      Myriam, Sounds like we’re weeks apart with our birthdays! So glad this resonated with you. Thanks for reading.

  9. I like your attitude, Laurie. It strikes me as being very healthy and much more inclined to lead to happiness than one of constant sorrow and regret about no longer being twenty-something. People are so different in how they respond to aging. You get some who seem old by thirty-five. Others have a youthful and fresh outlook throughout their lives.

    My mother and father are both pushing 80 but love video games, follow the latest news closely, and generally still seem fully integrated into the modern world. I hope to be like them when I grow up.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 8 years ago

      Bun, Yes, I know people who always lamented being old, even when they were in their 30’s! I never got it, but we’re all different. Your parents sound awesome and fun. Thanks for reading.

  10. I hope I haven’t missed your birthday, Laurie. Have a good one.
    My Dad turned 90 last year and I turned 50 – just numbers for both of us. It’s all about outlook, don’t you think?

      • Laurie Stone

      • 8 years ago

      Corinne, I think its totally outlook. I know “old” 30 year olds and “young people” in their 80’s. Its all attitude. Thanks for reading!

  11. I really enjoyed this piece! I love your writing style and your attitude. Onward & upward!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 7 years ago

      Thanks so much, Tomi. I guess as the years pile on, there’s nothing to do but enjoy!

    • Pam

    • 5 years ago

    Have you made it to Nashville yet? If not, let me know when you do, and I will give you some recommendations. Happy Exploring!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 5 years ago

      Pam, Haven’t made it to Nashville and am dying to go! You never know, I might take you up on your kind offer someday.

  12. The adage, Life is short then you die, or Life is too short not to _________. All really have deep meaning as we age!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 5 years ago

      Haralee, I think its all attitude. I know people who have always felt old, even when young. Then I know people who always feel young, even when old! Guess who has more fun?

    • Jen

    • 5 years ago

    Looks like a great attitude and a wonderful way to think about getting older. I will be there in less than 5 years. I hope to make the rest of my life even better!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 5 years ago

      Jen, Health plays into it a lot and then, of course, attitude is everything.

  13. So far, so good, so sixty!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 5 years ago

      For me too, Emily. So far, so good!

    • Pam

    • 3 years ago

    At 64, I really like myself much better than when I was younger. I’m more creatively fulfilled and much wiser. But, funnily, I see how much more I have to learn. I love your attitude!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 3 years ago

      Pam, Thank you. 64 is so not what I ever expected. Is it possible to grow younger?

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