Seeing 65

It is with mixed emotions and only a few regrets, that I passed my 65th birthday, this year.

My health is still good, and I say a big "thank you" every day for that.  But, when my nurse practitioner's office called to say I should come in for my "Medicare visit", I actually winced.

For some time I looked forward to this birthday because I would finally be eligible for Medicare.  Then I learned that after paying into the system all these years, I STILL have to pay by having a reduction in my Social Security monthly check. (signing up for Social Security was a mind-bender, too but that's another story).

Then there are those ads.  I paid little attention to them in years past... you know, the life insurance, hearing aids, three- pronged walkers, walk- in bathtubs, life- line pendants that you push when you fall... all that stuff.  It is all making a lot more sense to me now! And I kind of resent it!

I recently met a group of actors at the Ten Chimneys dinner.  They have all been in their profession for 20+ years, and still a couple of them were shocked looking at me when they found out my age.
C'mon! Meryl Streep is only 2 months younger!!

65 is a good age (as I always say, it's better to get older than the alternative).  I know, I know I'm not the only one who is passing this milestone.  All my high school classmates, my college buddies, etc. are in the same boat. And, since my father got his Master's degree at 70 years old, I have 5 more years to go back to school and make something of myself.