Turning 60...

[Dash man]

Well, turning 60 early next month and for the first time in getting a bit freaked out about the aging thing.
My mother passed away at 61 from cancer and while my father lived until 72, he'd had two strokes by my age.
I do have atherosclerosis though not bad enough for intervention yet. I've had spinal issues for ten years and essential tremors for the last few years. I've unexpectedly fallen twice recently while walking with. No reason I know of. I don't think I'm turning into a hypochondriac since everything but the falls have been diagnosed by specialists. Just falling apart.
Finances are no problem, and we hope to travel a lot over the next ten years, health permitting. 30, 40 or 50 didn't bother me. 60 has me worried.
Anyone else worried about the big 60?


Enjoying life!

 

[MBAustin]

Well, I've got 14 months to go, but I'm not particularly worried. Just got back from a trip to Europe with my church choir where the average age was 70+ and everyone had a great time even though we were on the go for 10 days straight.

Keep doing what you can do and try not to worry about what you can't.

 

[MichaelB]

Anyone else worried about the big 60?

Turning 60 is great news - it means you're still alive and enjoying the gift of life.
.
.

 

[Dawg52]

I knocked the 60 y/o door down almost 2 years ago. Didn't really bother me. If I'm lucky enough to make it to 70, I think that milestone will bother me. But who knows......I may feel as though it's all gravy at that point.

 

[Lcountz]

I turned 60 this past January.....I think what worked on me then is that I really feel I have enough money to last, but what if I run out of TIME?

All the women in my family lived til late 80's or low 90s going back to grandmother and aunts and Mom and her aunts and brother.....so I hope to live a long life, but what if I take after Dad who passed at 70 (Albeit from lung cancer from lifetime of smoking, which I don't do....but I DO have his "body type"....!)

I decided to enjoy and not worry. 60 is better than 80 right?!?!?

 

[Nemo2]

Ah, the halcyon days when I was 60, (my mother died of lung cancer ~ 50, and my father passed at 67), I was cycling 50 miles a day and felt 10 years younger than my chronological age.

In two months, if I make it, I'll be 74....I'd go back to 60 in a heartbeat!

 

[Moemg]

I am late 60's cruising into 70 in seven months . I agree with Nemo2 bring back 60 .

 

[Dash man]

I guess all these medical issues are bringing a little panic onset. Financially we are very comfortable, despite DW never believing there is enough. If we run out so have many others.
But listening to music of the 70s and 80s does bring some comfort.


Enjoying life!

 

[eytonxav]

At 67, 60 is now looking like the good ole days. It seems hard to believe, but feel I had much better athleticism back then. Maybe I have a case of sudden onset old age

 

[Options]

I'm one of those strange people that loves getting older. Turning 60, last year, was either the best or second best year of my life. I hadn't felt that way since I was 20, as if a door had opened, and I was standing in the doorway of anything being possible, because everything seemed absolutely new. There was this sense of permission to leave so much crap behind. The feeling was so good that I didn't want to leave being 60 this year.

Regarding health, I actually had to consciously think of the difference between my physicality when age 50 and then age 60. Almost nothing has changed, with the exception that over the last ten years I've paid greater and greater attention to optimizing my health.

People always say aging equals loss, to which I reply yes it does! The older I get the more I lose any sense that I have to be, or do, or have something outside. The resulting feeling of freedom and contentment I personally derive from this is wonderful. I wouldn't be a day younger than I am, and really look forward to turning 70, even 80.

 

[SteveNU]

Headed that way next year. It does give me pause especially since I am slowly recovering from the worst health issue that I have ever had to deal with.

My wife is four years younger and is retiring soon. She has a chronic health issue that she has dealt with for years. Luckily it is well controlled with medication and has not caused her much trouble for years.

Right now we are helping the kids out doing a lot of babysitting. But that will slow down next year and we plan to get busy enjoying the rest of our years together. I keep reminding her that we've probably got ten to fifteen good summers left but I don't think she really gets it yet.

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[Dash man]

I'm one of those strange people that loves getting older. Turning 60, last year, was either the best or second best year of my life. I hadn't felt that way since I was 20, as if a door had opened, and I was standing in the doorway of anything being possible, because everything seemed absolutely new. There was this sense of permission to leave so much crap behind. The feeling was so good that I didn't want to leave being 60 this year.



Regarding health, I actually had to consciously think of the difference between my physicality when age 50 and then age 60. Almost nothing has changed, with the exception that over the last ten years I've paid greater and greater attention to optimizing my health.



People always say aging equals loss, to which I reply yes it does! The older I get the more I lose any sense that I have to be, or do, or have something outside. The resulting feeling of freedom and contentment I personally derive from this is wonderful. I wouldn't be a day younger than I am, and really look forward to turning 70, even 80.

My fear, after having prepared so well for my elder years is that our kids will be the true beneficiaries. We have three cruises planned, but will I make it that far? I guess only time will tell since nothing is guaranteed.


Enjoying life!

 

[Marita40]

I'll join the club--I have 3 months to go before turning 60. Yes, it gives me pause, but it is one of those things I can't do anything about so it is useless to fret about. Health wise I have a few joint aches and pains lately, mostly menopause related I believe. I am noticing some twinges of arthritis, I think, in my hands and that has me worried. However, I can still do anything I could do in my younger years although a bit slower and with less energy. In fact I had too much energy in my youth--so I welcome the fact that I have slowed down just a bit. Today I spent nearly 8 hours painting trim and a ceiling. I'm sore and beat but a good tub soak and good night sleep and I'll be at it again tomorrow.

 

[MRG]

There's no guarantee for sure. I'm not as enthusiastic Options but last year, 58, was the best of my life. More energy, lost weight, really enjoying life. My oldest sister claims life seems to have more quality with age, she's generally pretty smart.

I turn 59.5 in 3 weeks, I may use that age related benefit for a while this year. I've never been upset about milestones so I'm expecting my next birthday to be OK.

 

[Options]

My fear, after having prepared so well for my elder years is that our kids will be the true beneficiaries. We have three cruises planned, but will I make it that far? I guess only time will tell since nothing is guaranteed.


Enjoying life!

Is the fear in any way related to a sense of increasing mortality? I have it in my head (rather strongly) that I will live to the age of 95, given the state of my health. OTOH, as you say nothing is guaranteed, and I could be diagnosed with cancer tomorrow. So my idea is to focus on now, right now, act and plan as if I'm going to live to be 95, and if not, then no regrets. P*ssed off, yes (at having a cancer diagnosis after all this work to optimize my health). Regrets no. My expectation of myself is to optimize my health to the greatest extent possible so that if a black swan cancer diagnosis shows up at least I can say I did everything I could.

But getting older to me is a psychological thing, and to me it feels really, really cool. I mean really cool. I personally enjoy talking to people 10, 15 or more years older than me because they seem so incredibly grounded.

 

[RE2Boys]

At 67, 60 is now looking like the good ole days. It seems hard to believe, but feel I had much better athleticism back then. Maybe I have a case of sudden onset old age

Fully agree! Will turn 67 later this year and I look back at 60........was coaching middle school soccer team and would go out with my son to run the cross country course with him before meets. Of course, I had lost any real speed but could do the hills and distance at my own pace, he'd leave me behind (and 95% of the other middle school boys).

 

[RAE]

I'm 61. I don't spend any time worrying about getting older. Sure, everyone (including me) probably thinks about how long they have left occasionally, but my focus is to just stay healthy and active (and optimistic), and keep doing the things I've always done. I have a few friends who are now in their early 80s and going pretty strong, so I figure I have a chance to do the same. Longevity does not run in my family (especially the men), but I think I lead a healthier lifestyle than many of them did, so hopefully I'll be around for a while yet. In any case, there is nothing to be gained by about worrying about it.......

 

[Ronstar]

I turn 61 next month. Turning 60 was not a big deal. I weigh less than when I graduated high school. Get plenty of exercise and eat right. But it takes me longer to cut the grass, clean the gutters, etc. Can't lift as much weight, and training for a marathon is tougher than it was in my 30's. I realize that I won't be able to do a lot of the strenuous things I did when I was younger, so I'm trying to get these things done while I still can.


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[Pbkmaine]

Well, turning 60 early next month and for the first time in getting a bit freaked out about the aging thing.
My mother passed away at 61 from cancer and while my father lived until 72, he'd had two strokes by my age.
I do have atherosclerosis though not bad enough for intervention yet. I've had spinal issues for ten years and essential tremors for the last few years. I've unexpectedly fallen twice recently while walking with. No reason I know of. I don't think I'm turning into a hypochondriac since everything but the falls have been diagnosed by specialists. Just falling apart.
Finances are no problem, and we hope to travel a lot over the next ten years, health permitting. 30, 40 or 50 didn't bother me. 60 has me worried.
Anyone else worried about the big 60?


Enjoying life!

If you have spinal and balance issues, try yoga and tai chi. I have found them very helpful for both.

 

[shortstop14]

Part of me is enjoying turning 60 - but that's an age-group sports thing. I'll be able to play in the over-60 division baseball tournaments in the fall, and it's nice to feel like one of the stronger players. Most of that has been staying healthy, still able to run reasonably well.

But part of me also sees the degradation of abilities. Really tough to catch up with the fastballs from the pitchers in the local over-35 leagues, which is as old as we have. Don't chase down the long fly balls quite as well as I used to.

But the idea of a limited number of good summers left is always there in the back of my mind.

 

[Souschef]

I just turned 78. I lost my wife of 30 years when I was 67. I was blessed to find a lady who shared my love of travel. We were married when I was 69. "Come grow old with me, the best is yet to be"-Browning
In our time together, we have been on 45 trips including 15 cruises. In fact, we were married in Santorini, Greece while on a cruise.
My wife's bucket list is just about complete, but there are still things we want to do.
I am looking to join the Octogenarian Pilots Association in 2 years

 

[Free]

61 here. I was looking at a chart comparing average age at death for various countries. Only one country (I forget which) had a male living to age 80, all the rest were 79 or below. It got me thinking if I'm average, that means only adding the "7" to first digit of my age in the future. No "8" "9" or "10's". Just got to make the best of what we have left. My DW's parents died at 36 and 48, one of cancer and one of a heart attack. She went through the same thoughts as she passed through those ages, wondering if she'd follow them at an earlier age - she's 64 now and doing good (notice I didn't say great) health wise. She walks about 6 miles a day, but it wears her out sometimes.

 

[Meadbh]

Lovely wedding photo, Souschef!

I have just over a year to go before 60. Today I heard about a classmate who has just passed away. Carpe diem.

 

[Accidental Retiree]

I just turned 78. I lost my wife of 30 years when I was 67. I was blessed to find a lady who shared my love of travel. We were married when I was 69. "Come grow old with me, the best is yet to be"-Browning
In our time together, we have been on 45 trips including 15 cruises. In fact, we were married in Santorini, Greece while on a cruise.
My wife's bucket list is just about complete, but there are still things we want to do.
I am looking to join the Octogenarian Pilots Association in 2 years

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[HFWR]

As a kid would say, I'm 61, going on 62.

I think I'm in pretty good shape compared to many my age, but I won't look that gift horse in the mouth...