When is Middle Life?

When I was growing up it seemed like all the men and women in our small farm community were old. They weren’t of course, it was just my childish lens on the world.

I was listening to a piece on NBC’s Today Show and the “expert” was saying that our life expectancy has increased, so is middle age the same as it used to be? That struck me as a valid question. My husband was convinced he would die when he turned 65–the same age as his father passed away. I’m happy to report that didn’t happen, although I did keep an extra close eye on him that day. We are a generation that has seen a lot, done a lot, and who expects a lot. If we will now reach ages of 90 and above, retiring at age 62 or 65 leaves us with another 30 years of living. Some see that as depressing and a poor quality of life period. Not me. Even if I’m only reading a book, or listening to a bird sing, I’ll find joy. My husband passed his self-imposed expiration date just fine. May we all be as blessed.