The joy of turning 70.
Happiness is a choice and a skill. It is built by attitude and intention. I’m happy to be 70 and consider it a privilege to be here.
It’s a bit of an odd feeling — this 70 thing. I don’t feel like 70, although I’m not quite sure what it’s supposed to feel like. Friends tell me I don’t look 70. But maybe they’re just being nice. At the end of the day, I’m just glad to say that I am 70. In fact, I’m actually darn proud of it!
What a difference 70 is from my other decade-marking birthdays. At 30, I was still having babies — too busy to think about getting older. Turning 40 was not fun as I dealt with a mid-life bout of depression which I’d rather forget. That made 50 seem like a breeze. I celebrated my 60th knee-deep in politics as a state senator.
Now here’s 70. I call myself retired. How do I feel? Great. I’m relaxed yet energetic; focused but flexible. Happy and hopeful. My longevity goal of 120 years remains the same, but I realize there’s really no time to put off doing things I’ve been wanting to do, checking things off that bucket list or even adding to it. So here are a few markers at turning 70.
Sharing my blog
I’m done hiding behind it. I’ve been developing it and writing for over a year, but still haven’t gotten to the point of announcing it to those who know me well. It’s safer to have the anonymity of the greater blogosphere. Less chance for criticism. But here goes. With this post, I will start sharing, that is if I can figure out how to do that.
Then there’s this item that was on my bucket list:
A 70th birthday present from my husband.
I’ve been playing the piano nearly all my life — on the same piano, no less. Now at 70, I finally have my baby grand, and it’s absolutely wonderful. I could sit and play it all day if my back didn’t get a bit achy. Although it was “born” in 1997, this baby looks brand new. The store owner told me I should get at least 50 years of use from it. Good, I said, it fits perfectly with my longevity goal.
Wellness check
I spent the week of my birthday doing the annual health checks on various parts of my body. Eye exam checked out. No need for anything more than a pair of readers. In the Medicare questionnaire I assured the government I was willing and able to take care of myself and did not feel despair or illness. (It was an interesting set of questions). Blood work showed everything within normal ranges. No medication other than a vitamin D/calcium supplement for bone strength. I am blessed with good health.
That’s reason enough to celebrate. Of course I also realize that this decade puts me on the brink of the time of life when the odds of “something” happening increases. Everyday I celebrate my nearly 50 years of marriage to the same man and hope for many, many more. But we both know that is not a sure thing. The obits are the first thing we check in the morning papers. And we know far too many friends and acquaintances who are dealing with grief, loss and major medical problems.
It’s an unmistakable fact of life — life is not perfect and it doesn’t last. I can dwell on that, worry about it or simply accept it and remind myself that everyday is a gift. Today is the one sure thing I have. So I need to make it count — with family, friends, doing the things I love, finding ways to be of service. If God has given me the gift of these 70 years, I can return the favor by living the next 70 to the fullest.
It’s the choices we make, to be sure. Mary Pipher explains it so beautifully in her book, “Women Rowing North: Navigating Life’s Currents and Flourishing as We Age.” She reminds us that by our 70’s we’ve had decades to develop resilience….”we’ve learned that happiness is a skill and a choice. We don’t need to look at a horoscope to know how our day will go. We know how to create a good day.”
She reminds us that our happiness is built by attitude and intention. Amen, to that. Our attitude is really the only thing we have control over. No matter what life throws at us, it’s our attitude toward it that makes all the difference.
Right now I’m pretty upbeat about this 70’s thing. There will be down moments, I know. Maybe even some pretty stiff challenges. But for now, I can simply say I am happy to be 70 and consider it a privilege to be here. Carpe Diem!