Are there many, some, a few of us over 50??

[Aggie_Ama]

I have always been baffled by people who fear birthdays. Granted, I am only turning 26 Saturday but I enjoy them. I plan to be someone who embraces 50 with open arms (and still be on my bike). You ladies ROCK!

[Bad JuJu]

I have always been baffled by people who fear birthdays. Granted, I am only turning 26 Saturday but I enjoy them. I plan to be someone who embraces 50 with open arms (and still be on my bike).

I feel the same way about people who get all crazy about their birthdays--jeez, what's up with that? Like Annie said, you can either have your next birthday or...not--so I prefer to keep having them.

It makes me a little angry when people imply that I should be hiding my age. I'm 54 and I don't care who knows it.

In spite of the ridiculous cult of eternal youth that this society seems mesmerized by, we CAN embrace our age, still pedaling happily away on our bikes.

[East Hill]

I think the worst thing about turning fifty is that's when the AARP comes after you. And they don't give up.

Other than that, it's just another birthday. I'm glad to have made it this far, and I like to ask people when they complain about getting older:

"You'd rather have the alternative?".

After they figure that one out they shut up.

East Hill

[Jo-n-NY]

After just talking about this with someone the other day, I will add my two cents. I am 51, I look forward to my birthdays for the gifts, especially when it is a new bike and do not think twice about the age. And I am happy to say that I am in better shape now than I was at 21.

JoAnn

[five one]

I think the worst thing about turning fifty is that's when the AARP comes after you.

I went ahead and joined when I started getting the "invitations". For $12.50 a year, you get a decent magazine and discounts similar to AAA. AARP is a very powerful lobby in Washington DC. We should be glad they are there fighting for us.

And I am happy to say that I am in better shape now than I was at 21.

I'll be 55 soon and I have to second the above. I'm not as thin as I was way back when, but I'm a h*ll of a lot fitter and healthier. To me, that is so much more important.

[mimitabby]

we don't get aarp.
I think my DH got a couple issues and cancelled. I don't like the way they sold the american public down the river on that last medicare plan. They weren't fighting for us then. THey convinced people to accept that plan which was terribly flawed and more expensive than the last. It's another big fat rich lobbying group.

The one thing I can say about birthdays that helps them make sense to me is that they are just numbers.

[suzieqtwa]

I turned 53 in November. I saw Led Zepplin in concert whe I was 14. I dont like birhtays at all ,and never tell anyone when it is.

[Crankin]

I don't mind telling anyone my birthday and I turned 53 in November, too. I weigh the same as I did in HS, but a lot less than I did when I was 21. Definitely in better shape!
I ignored the AARP, too, because it's just kind of creepy to me, like some kind of monolith, that finds us as soon as we turn 50. I have read the mag. in the doctor's office and it seems OK. My husband is going to join though, because we are going to use the discounts when I stop working and I can't qualify for the NEA discounts for auto insurance and the health club.

[JanB]

Hi all,
This is my first post and I'm going to be 48 in May. Not sure how that happened and if I don't look in the mirror, I feel like I should be around 30 or so. I'm inspired by so many of you that are 40 and over and all that you do.

[East Hill]

I ignored the AARP, too, because it's just kind of creepy to me, like some kind of monolith, that finds us as soon as we turn 50.

I think that's what it was, it was just creepy. And I agree with mimitabby, I think the American public lost out on the Medicare plans when AARP backed the ones they did. They certainly weren't talking/lobbying for my best interests at that point.

East Hill

[sbctwin]

I am 53, close enough to 54. At work, I feel my age. I have little tolerance anymore for "playing the game". But, when I am on my bike, I feel very much ALIVE !!!! I can't explain it, the worries, the stresses are generally replaced with the knowledge that I am "accomplishing" something for ME....Birthdays, well, these days I always get to celebrate my birthday with my best friend, my twin sister and that involves a road trip to Montana

[Bad JuJu]

Hey, twin, that's the main thing that bugs me on my birthday these days--that I miss my twin, who's also still my best friend, as yours is for you. But he's in Alaska and I'm in Florida, so we just get together when we can. You're fortunate to be close enough for a road trip!

[mimitabby]

twins?? you're twins?? I want to see pictures!!!

[bcipam]

Turned 56 last week. In the mist of my brother in law's funeral with the entire family gathered, one of my sister's said to me "Happy Birthday". My mother then said "Whose having a birthday. Whose birthday is it?" This was after trying to call my father the week before and the conversation went like this:

Dad it's Pam...

Who?

Pam, your daughter Pam.

Kim?

No Pam, Pam your daughter

I don't know a Kim

No Pam

Who is this?

Pam =sigh= your eldest daughter Pam

Here's Reba [my mother] talk to her...

* * *

After awhile birthday means nothing. I just know I'm old and getting older every day...

[mimitabby]

Turned 56 last week. In the mist of my brother in law's funeral with the entire family gathered, one of my sister's said to me "Happy Birthday". My mother then said "Whose having a birthday. Whose birthday is it?" This was after trying to call my father the week before and the conversation went like this:

Dad it's Pam...

Who?

Pam, your daughter Pam.

Kim?

No Pam, Pam your daughter

I don't know a Kim

No Pam

Who is this?

Pam =sigh= your eldest daughter Pam

Here's Reba [my mother] talk to her...

* * *

After awhile birthday means nothing. I just know I'm old and getting older every day...

Pam, is your father hard of hearing or is he suffering from memory loss?
or both? i'm sorry about that.
My father was hit by both at the same time.
You know, you just hit on one of the worst parts about being over 50. So many of those dear to us are dying, getting really frail... even people our own age. It's so sad and there's nothing we can do except be a good example.