You are only as old as you feel...

When I was 7 or so, I remember thinking that when I was 12, I would really be grown up. When I was 12, I thought 20 was old. When I hit 20 I started to think that 30 was "middle age." At 32, I began working with older adults and all my preconceptions of aging and what is old were blown out of the water.

In 1994 I became the program assistant at an adult day program. The ADC was a day program where caregivers could bring their loved ones for a few hours every day for activities, exercise, socialization and a hot meal. What was amazing about this program was that it had a small paid staff, but a huge volunteer corps made up mainly of retired, older adults. These volunteers drove the program vans to pick up and take home participants, worked in the administrative office and helped facilitate all the activities of the day. Some of these volunteers were in their 80's! They did their volunteer work with energy, compassion, energy, dedication, enrgy and love. And did I mention energy?

Here it is 18 years later and I am still working with older adults. I know people in their 60's, 70's, 80's, 90's and even someone who has passed the 100 year mark. Many of them face serious health challenges, but they continue to have young spirits. I am often inspired by their stories, their determination and their energy. Working with these people has also finally made me realize that I should really be taking better care of myself NOW. I AM trying.

Facing 50 has really made me reflect on age and what I have accomplished and how much more I want to do. The are so many good things about getting older. In fact, in honor of my upcoming birthday I am going to list 50 good things about getting older.

Before I start my list, I want to share a funny story from when my girls were in grade school. My oldest daughter, jb, was quite precocious at times. She was about 10 years old and knew everything, of course. Somehow, age entered the conversation. She said to me, "Mom, you and Dad are old, Nana is ANCIENT, but Grandma and Grandpa Beeson are PREHISTORIC!"