My new AARP membership card came in the mail last week. This Saturday I will turn 60. Sixty! That’s three score! Where did the time go? It seems like it wasn’t so long ago that I wasn’t trusting anyone over thirty…and now I’m twice that age.
Sixty is a benchmark, the gateway to the senior years. The junk mail from the Scooter Store and flyers on low cost burials are filling my mailbox. I imagine that I’ll start getting coupons for Depends and Assure any day now. I am already enjoying some of the benefits of reaching my golden years, delicious meals in smaller sized portions at fine dining establishments like Denny’s and a 10% discount at Ross Dress for Less on Geezer Day (known to the younger set as Tuesday.)
The spouse and I took a cruise in September. The boat was filled with older people. It came as a shock to me when, in a brief moment of enlightenment, I realized that they weren't older people, they were my peer group. I am a senior.
After a year and a half I still haven’t fully adjusted to retirement. I’ve gotten used to checking “retired” on the employment box on forms and I no longer get out of bed in the morning when it’s still dark, but in the back of my mind I still feel like this is a temporary state, an extended summer vacation. I can’t really grasp the idea of never working again. It’s not like I’m knocking on doors looking for work; I actually quite like not having any responsibility. But, I still read the want ads and I have a closet full of suits that I can’t bring myself to get rid of.
I recognize that I’m in the leading edge of the baby boomers. So many of us are moving into retirement and our senior years. Does everyone struggle with adjusting to the changes that come with age and retirement?
Sixty! One more year and I’ll have to change the name of this blog.
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Been there, done that! Oh yes, you bring all back, that feeling that anyday soon something will happen and life will resume on its old pace. What shook me out of that feeling was breaking my ankle. Suddenly, I was so happy not to rush out anywhere, pulling out of connections and committments I had made in the rush of filling my time card.
ReplyDeleteThat broken ankle gave me a new perspective. I started writing seriously, for me. I'm still writing, and it feels grand not to have to compete with anyone.
Enjoy the coupons, when you can. Enjoy your good health, and your vacation attitude. You earned them all.
I have the same feeling sometimes. But I've made the decision to say "yes" to what comes along, so who knows when I may need to start getting out of bed in the dark again?
ReplyDeleteI LOVE retirement. Of course, I will be sixty-eight in two months, and I retired at 65. It's been a wonderful journey, and I hope I never have to be beholden to someone else's schedule ever again. I hope it will be that way for you before long.
ReplyDeleteI must be closer than I thought; I was thrilled to see the larger font size on this post.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on almost reaching your benchmark! I love the name of your blog. I love that you have created something wonderful for others to enjoy with your adjustment to retirement and turning sixty. You go girl! You are just getting started.
ReplyDeleteI can't help here!
ReplyDeleteI love your blog, I know you still sub so you haven't fully retired have you? I have a sort of similar thing, I decided never to study in a formal exam way again but I still have all my uni books from my degree and masters and often browse on line looking at courses. I think pottery or something is probably a better idea than something examined.
Happy birthday!!! I'm just a year behind you and feel everything you've mentioned here. I'm just grateful to be at this point with my health and most of my cognitive powers still in place. :-)
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