<p>I hated turning 60; not because of the age itself, but because I never thought I would still be stuck in the the same house at that point instead of having relocated, which I’ve been waiting years to do. In fact, I left town on my birthday to visit DS just because I couldn’t stand still being in Illinois at that age.</p>
<p>Now I’m almost 62 and still here and not leaving this year. I can’t think about it because it’s too depressing. I don’t mind the age; I just want to be living a different life at it!</p>
<p>Im going to have my 56th birthday next month and since my knee replacement a few months ago, I feel * younger* than I have in several years!
I still have ups and downs, but the up is much more consistent and the downs are shorter.
It feels good.</p>
<p>My family is not long lived, but I really try and take joy from the moment.
There is so much to be grateful for.
:)</p>
<p>“my D, born in 1993 is always jealous when I say that my S, born in 1998 has the best chance of anyone in our family to live in 3 centuries. She always says well, why can’t I? I tell her that she can, but at 5 years younger, her brother has a better chance of it”</p>
<p>Just got off the phone, literally, with a friend I have known since pre-k. We were planining our “group” of friend’s 60th celebration. We are spread across the states. Some of us will attend, and others not. But we want to celebrate our wonderful 60th birthday. We are currently planning a Finger Lakes wine tour.</p>
<p>I, personally have not yet turned 60. I am 59 and I constantly make a point of that whenever I can!</p>
<p>No, I am not particularly enjoying turning 60. But I do not have a choice. I try to be healthy. I exercise rigorously 5+ days a week and I eat a very restricted diet. ( No meat other than chicken breast, no skin. No dairy or skim, etc. Lots of veggies, etc.) Yet #'s are not on my side, as in cholesterol and blood pressure. Sick and tired of trying to get them under control. </p>
<p>But still enjoining life as much as possible.</p>
<p>I just hope I have my dad’s good fortune. At 76, he is still an engineering professor. By the end of the year, he will have traveled to South Africa, China, Australia, the Philippines, and Israel, besides quite a few places in the US. I think he had already been to all but of one of those destinations. He works hard and still enjoys life.</p>
<p>Sixty was great for me. It meant I could retire from the Federal government, which I did to take on a new career as a college administrator at a B1G institution. Three years into the new job my wife hit 60 and retired from the Federal government, moved back in with me and took a position with the state where we live. Sold the house in NOVA for 2.5 times what we paid for it </p>
<p>Nine years into my new career, with a major promotion and having turned 70, I am getting ready to move on in a bit. Hilton Head here we come.</p>
<p>The years after 60 have been a great adventure. Meaningful work. Pensions, salaries, and social security checks. Son graduated and is 90% supporting himself. Two condos. Travel. Living in a great college town. OTOH it’s cold here.</p>
<p>Sorry if this sounds insufferable, but it has been a very good ten years since 60.</p>
<p>My husband, after being a wonderful provider for many years, is starting night school tomorrow to fuflfill his dream of becoming a social worker! He turns 59 the same night.</p>
<p>I picked up my hammer, drill and paint roller and became a construction worker/general contractor. Just a few days ago, I had to craw in a less than 24" crawl space to inspect leaky pipes. That is, after attained the age of 60.</p>
<= That’s my line, but since I was probably not the first person to have this revelation I guess anyone can use it. I say that is the main difference between 50 and 60. At 60 we can say with certainty that our lives are more than half over. (Like that line from the Lovin’ Spoonful song, Darling be Home Soon: "And now A quarter of my life is almost past I think I’ve come to see myself at last " such wisdom! Just you wait!!! LOL</p>
<p>The thing I like the most about being 60 is when people tell me I don’t look 60, so I guess that is more avoidance than embracing the reality.</p>
<p>Wow, congratulations! My daddy passed away at 59, so to me, making it to 60 will be a great accomplishment.</p>
<p>One thing I hope will have been completed by the time I am 60 is THE CHANGE. Seems it’s been going on for at least two years now, and I cannot wait for it to be over!</p>
<p>If God is willing, I will be a grandma by the time I am 60. To me, grandparents are great in their 60s. They’re old enough to be winding down in their careers, and their young enough to still pick up the grandkids from school. Seems like the 60s decade is the ideal decade to be.</p>
<p>Not there for a few more years but I find it pretty scary. DH is having some health issues and would like to retire early. I love my job but each year brings worries about my position being cut.
We would have no health insurance if we retired before 65, and DH will have no pension. Mine will be small enough that the GPO cut to my spousal SS makes it about a wash. So…it’s all about whether or not we have squirreled away enough $ to last as long as we do. What will the markets do? How will healthcare change? How much will we need?
As far as feeling near 60, no, I don’t. I just wish that person in the mirror had fewer wrinkles!</p>
<p>One of my good friends died last year. As I look forward to the milestones for our kids that she will miss, I am so sad that she is not here and I am happy to be getting older.</p>
<p>It’s this Dec for me, and being more of a worrier than an enjoyer, I have a feeling that health issues that I’ve somehow escaped this far will begin to make a mark. I used to worry the kids weren’t eating properly before their first birthday, read or count by kindergarten, all the way through getting on track for a good career. As each worry faded away it was eclipsed by the next one. Now it’s when are the 20 somethings who spend all their time preparing for this exam or that certification going to make time and priority to find good mates and raise families…</p>
<p>My mother told me that if I wrote her year of birth on her tombstone she would never forgive me. The oldest that she would admit to was 24. I was grown with a child. </p>
<p>Until a few years ago I would have said the same thing. Now, not so much I have always heard the cliche that “I don’t feel 60”. I don’t…feel that old. But I am now grateful for every day. I am grateful that certain conditions are in remission and/or not progressing. </p>
<p>And yes, when I consider the alternative, I’m good.</p>