I’m over 50. My 40th was much more a bummer than my 50th. My mom was dealing with terminal cancer, Sept 11th had just happened (which definitely puts things in perspective.)
Between 40 and 50 both parents and my brother died of cancer. That puts a sharp focus on mortality. It’s when I started obsessing with early retirement… so I don’t drone away at a field a no longer love, and then keel over one day, full of regrets.
My husband is older than me by almost 10 years – so I always feel young compared to him. He’s more youthful than me in most ways, though. He’s got longevity on his side – his dad died last year at 90, his mom is 87 and still going strong, physically.
I relish birthdays – at this point they are indications I’m closer to my retirement and freedom. A time when I’ll control my time and activities.
Like Rustico, I’ve got youngish kids (11 and 13) – so I need to be healthy long enough to get them launched at minimum. Even if I died as young as my mom did (67) I should be able to accomplish that.
