Quote Originally Posted by OakLeaf View Post
Everyone over 70 with whom I've been close enough to have the conversation - everyone, both relatives and friends, people from all walks of life, the sole exception being my mother who can manage to find the bright side of the most horrific situations, and even she has been faltering lately - every single other one of them has told me "don't get old." Usually in those exact words. At 52, I'm at the age where I'm very much inclined to take their advice.

I think a lot of people refuse to admit to themselves that they don't have a choice about whether or not they're going to die. Once you admit you don't get to choose about that, you realize you do have a great deal of choice about how and when.
Yep. This sounds like my experience. In their 60's people start complaining about the quality of life...especially here in the USA. I think other countries are different-especially countries where people work to live and not live to work. Those with better healthcare systems and better family policies at work seem to allow people to age more gracefully and with a better quality of life but here in America? It's hell to be old and unhealthy. Sometimes, it's just hell to be old.

I pray this doesn't happen to me. I did have one set of grandparents who aged well until 67 years of marriage. The last two years of their lives were hell and both died at 90. Thankfully, I was able to be with them through it all. I miss them and their positive attitude so much.

It's really great to see so many people have positive stories about older age.