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ON BECOMING 65
By Sandy Johan

Ah, how the times have changed!
It used to be that a woman would never divulge her age and never ever would a woman over 40 be happy about a pending birthday. Many women have been known to go to great lengths to hide their ages. Many women color their hair - mine is graying nicely. Many women use botox to hide their wrinkles - I wear mine proudly. My elastic waist slacks are comfy, thank you, and my over blouses hide some bulges.

However, I am not content to go into my senior years without a fight. I walk daily and am an enthusiastic student of Yoga and water aerobics.
Now, as April arrives, I know that my special day is near. I am so excited! I love my birthday! I love all the insulting cards I receive from relatives and friends insinuating that I am “over the hill” and that “the fat lady has sung.” For a week after my birthday, my cards sit out on my living room table for the world to see. I am rejuvenated every April.
The last time I dreaded a birthday, I was 22. I had so looked forward to being 21 that I thought my life was all down hill at 22. What a foolish girl!

I am delighted to say that I am about to become a recipient of Medicare. I happily show my Medicare card. I no longer must pay over $6,000 annually for my health insurance.

Younger women do not have
grandchildren. My children and grandchildren are my greatest joy. They are planning something very special for my 65th birthday. I know this because my husband is excited and dying to tell me what has been planned.

My lady friends have invited me to a luncheon the day after my birthday. Hmmmm that is suspicious. Could it be that this luncheon is being planned in my honor? Oh, how disappointed I will be if it is not!

We moved from New England to Florida just three years ago. We are surrounded by new friends. Our neighborhood is just 4 years old. Everyone is from somewhere else and eager to meet new folks. We are satisfied to spend our evenings playing dominoes, rummy, and cribbage. We need no excuse or reason to gather together. We share sporting events on television. The person with the largest TV gets to host. New friends think we are scintillating. They find our old stories new and exciting. We feed each other; we share our books, recipes, and our worries, sorrows and joys. We laugh a lot.

This winter we have had many old friends from up North as overnight guests here in Florida. I anticipated their arrival with great joy. They marvel at our lifestyle. We are so fortunate. Our friends old and new enrich us and add excitement to our day-to-day lives. I was recently told, “Friends are the family you get to choose for yourself.”

I am so lucky to be alive, surrounded by good friends, and happy to be becoming 65.