By Carolyn Parr
When my husband Jim turned 82 recently (my age), one of our kids gave him a birthday card. It showed a back view of a naked white-haired guy running into the ocean. The word “Yippee!” in the shape of swim trunks was pasted across his buns. The card said, “Getting old is AWESOME!”
But inside it read “ … said no one ever. Anyway, Happy Birthday!”
Not LOL.
I for one do say old age is awesome! I’m not as spry as I used to be, but the freedom makes up for it. Here are some AWESOME things I couldn’t do when I was younger:
– House paid for, kids grown. Enough money to live comfortably and still have fun. Jim and I set our own schedule. We just came back from a cruise on the Cumberland River. Then we renewed old friendships at a national conference in Charlotte, VA. Yeah, we took our canes. So what?
– If I want to take a nap, I do. Without the slightest embarrassment. I go to bed when I’m sleepy and I don’t apologize.
– I have stories for every occasion, and people seem to enjoy hearing one or two.
– I can do things I couldn’t when I was focused on family and career. I always wanted to write a book. I published my first at age 76. My second came out this year. I’m working on a third.
– I like my white hair. I wear comfortable, bright-colored clothes, whether they’re “in” or not. I still want to look attractive but I’m no longer super-invested in what others think.
– I eat what tastes good without fretting much about calories or nutrition. If I decline something, nobody cares.
– I can be opinionated. It’s really fun to say what one thinks. And I’ve lived long enough to recognize baloney when I hear it.
– I don’t have to answer any questions I don’t like. “Excuse me?” as if I can’t hear will suffice.
– Caring for my beloved dying husband of 56 years taught me that life is precious, fragile and fleeting and each day is given by the grace of God. I don’t take a single one for granted.
– And here’s the most awesome thing of all: At age 78 I fell head over heels in love with an old friend and became a bride at 80! Don’t tell me old age can’t be awesome!
Carolyn Miller Parr has been a wife, mom, and now great-grandma; federal tax judge, mediator; ordained minister; writer, widow; and bride (in roughly that order). Author of In the Secret Service; The True Story of the Man Who Saved President Reagan’s Life (Tyndale, 2013), and Love’s Way: Living Peacefully With Your Family As Your Parents Age (Hendrickson, 2019). Member, Redbud Writer’s Guild. She blogs at www.toughconversations.net.
This piece was first published here.
I love this perspective!
Thank you!
This is just beautiful and an encouragement to us all!
Thank you!!
My neighbor is 82. With her youthful spirit, everyone thinks she’s 62. You remind me of her. Thank you for this encouraging perspective on aging!
I’d send you some smiley emoji’s and a heart, but the system doesn’t take them! Thanks!
Delightful! Octagenarians are my favorite people!
We have a lot if experience having fun! I like hanging out with millennials, too! Every stage has its gifts.
Very upbeat and encouraging!
Love your story, I am having a hard time at 61 years old adjusting to no kids, no job. Nothing to do all day, I watch TV, big deal. I have applied for a couple jobs but didn’t get them.
Sherrie, thanks for your comment. If you email me at carolynparr@toughconversations.net I might have some ideas for you.
I love your perspective! Bright, upbeat and real, with a dash of sass. 👍😎👏
Thanks, Kristine! You sound a little bit sassy yourself!