The older I get, the more I appreciate _____. (friendly, states, retired)
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I cried uncle at 55. Then hit the road to travel. I visited a lot of national parks & national monuments. Too many to list. Even the lesser known units are quite spectacular.
Along the way, I've met quite a few that waited too late. Then when it was their time, they didn't have the energy or physical ability to enjoy the experience.
Independence
Freedom
Good health
Security
Being physically and mentally active and able
I've always appreciated my husband and my kids, that hasn't changed. Family and friends are also important and always have been. But I'm seeing the wisdom of being my own priority. The more I care for me the more I'll have to give to others.
I'm turning 75 this week. As I contemplate my (young) old age, it occurs to me that there are things that I am appreciating more and more as the years pass. For example:
Quiet
Careful, defensive drivers who use their turn signals
The love of a grandchild
Rainy days (I live in Florida and I get tired of so much sunshine)
Ice cream (I mean, I always liked it, but ...)
Sleep
How about you?
I'm 54. Years ago I watched my dad age gracefully until he passed at a ripe old age. Quite a while ago now. Not old enough, but tell me who I can file a complaint with about that?
SO I contemplate this a bit too, in conjunction with what my dad valued in his 60s then 70s. Twenty two years of retirement. He lived well, and chose to embrace life as a retiree. He was never bored or depressed AFAIK.
What my dad appreciated in his 70s:
Opportunity to drive long distances and be paid a modest sum (he drove for a funeral home retrieving the deceased from a multi-state area back to MI). He loved to drive.
Me: ditto, when money doesn't matter and there's time to appreciate the scenery. My time is money at-current so I'm deadline driven. One day that won't matter. I like long motorcycle trips. Dad was not into bikes.
Camping. Embracing nature. He tent camped. Every week or so he'd check into a motel to "remove the grunge" as he called it. I've camped enough to know exactly what he meant.
Me: I don't know yet if I feel that strongly about it. Nature, yes. Camping, TBD.
Golf. Not sure he ever beat 85 on 18 holes in his life. He didn't care.
Me: don't care at this time. I've never shot a hole of golf in my life. If I start when old I'll be frustrated; unlike my dad I like to win and am quite competitive.
Letting the past go. My dad never brooded on old insults, only time I recall is when a friend of 30 years screwed him out of $2K loan...and ghosted. He never discussed his career and didn't care. He put that aside and moved on. He moved on from my mom's passing (she 61, he 63) in a few years. Always looking forward, was my dad. When he passed he had a brochure for an upcoming cruise in his hand. Seriously, couldn't make this up. I framed it.
Weather. Early 2000s, dad had the papers to a condo in Tampa area in his hand and....didn't pull the trigger. He loved the varied weather in SE MI, his home of 41 years (where I grew up). And he passed away there too. Due in part to a weather event. The irony did not escape me, and were he alive he'd chuckle about it too.
Me: I may have fully embraced the PacNW due to the water and four seasons too. Apple, meet tree and "not-falling-far-from."
It's always the simple things that are appreciated as we age. Things like waking up each morning, knowing where you are and who you are. Being able to get out of bed and perform your daily care, independently, being able to get in your car or other means of transport, know where you are going and know how to get back home safely. There are those who have mountains of money, but are unable to enjoy it because they cannot travel, eat as they'd like or literally have nothing on which to spend their money in ways that bring them enjoyment. No amount of money can restore youth, or good health once that's gone. Those folks are poor, despite their financial riches!
My answer: Continued good health of myself and my husband. (Knock wood.)
More and more I am seeing more people about my age (68) with one major problem or another, needing one surgery or another, being on meds, etc. I have no idea how long it will last, but I am grateful for every day I can still walk, see, etc.
P.S. I saw a t-shirt in catalog with a funny message I thought I would share. It went something like, "I don't mind getting older, but my body is throwing a hissy fit."
My Dad (93)
My house and property and view (next to Dad), 1 acre
My family
Health My time...only been retired a month or so still getting use to it .
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