"The Joys of Getting Older"

 “The Joys of Getting Older” is a book currently lying on my mother-in-law’s glass coffee table at her independent living facility.  The cover has a lovely picture of an older couple hugging on the beach barefoot.


When you open this book, and here’s the rub - the pages are empty!!! 


The back of the book claims the authors “have collected all their best advice and share their insights into how you can lead a happy and energetic life after reaching ‘that certain age.’” Did I mention that the entire book is a bunch of empty pages?


I told my husband at breakfast this morning that I had found my topic for today – and it was about the joys of getting older, and that I would really concentrate on the positive aspects in my life.  He said, “That should be a short piece.”


In thinking this topic over on my morning walk, I have come up with some real joys of being older, kidding aside. For one, I get to see my daughters grown up into sparkling young women.  My older daughter is a really competent lawyer who works so hard and loves her job.  She’s a cat lover, an exercise addict, and a connoisseur of new trends in food and fashion.  My younger daughter has recently become a psychologist, currently completing a post-doc counseling gig at a New York City university. She is funny, warm, empathetic – and just a delight to be with. They both are – and I am so thankful for them.  


My relationship with my husband has deepened over the years. When I met him in Binghamton, I was 20 and he 21. He’s been my soulmate ever since the fateful day we met, as we have experienced life’s births and deaths together, and incredible highs and difficult lows.  The more years we share together, the richer the connection.


Money is another area that has been easier to navigate as we’ve gotten older.  When we first moved in together, my husband and I argued over the price of cantaloupe and whether we should indeed be buying it.  We used to go camping a lot in the White Mountains of New Hampshire and in southern Vermont, and we loved it, but also did so because it was affordable back then.  No fancy hotels for us. We have traveled more now than we did then, and have taken some wonderful international trips. Add that to my list of the joys of getting older. 


Lastly, I believe professionally, you get more confident as you get older. You know what you believe, and you can back up your philosophy and your teaching pedagogy with the mentors that you have followed and all that you have read and learned in your professional journey. 


And so here you have it - some of the joys of getting older, the way I see it in my life. The negatives will have to wait for another day.


Comments

  1. What a wonderful ode to aging! Thanks for sharing your joy.

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  2. This is great. Thank you for the laugh on this Sunday evening. How cool that your happy love story started in Binghamton, my hometown. :)

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  3. Keep this and reread it often! You are a rich woman with so much to be thankful for!

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