By Sonia Nevis
They say that Spring has arrived.
We have had an odd winter – really no winter at all, only a string of spring days.
I was delighted to have such pleasant weather until I began to wonder whether it was at the cost of tornadoes, floods and other unusual weather upheavals around the world.
All these years I have taken for granted that the seasons would follow each other, that the sun and the moon would rise as they “always” do, that I would always know when to buy sandals since summer was coming, and when I need to check my snow boots since I would need them soon.
Suddenly I am faced again with the reality of not knowing what tomorrow will be.
Many years ago, I read an article that said that old age started at age 85. I felt so much freedom since my mother, my grandmother, and my great grandmother all died in their 20s.
What did I have to worry about, since I read the article in my 30s and my reaching 85 seemed impossible?
A recent study showed that “it’s no surprise that the older people get, the longer they think it takes for a person to reach old age”:
• On average, adults between the ages of 30 and 49 think old age begins at 69.
• People who are currently 50-64 believe old age starts at 72.
• Responders who are 65 and older say old age begins at 74.
A Pew study said that women considered old age to be when they were 70 and men considered old age to be 66.
For me, old age is still being 85.
I counted and found that I have 89 days before I get there.
When I was in my 50s, I vowed that when I was old I would always wear sneakers and eat as much chocolate as I wanted to. I’ve been true to both of these vows.
Now I will wait until I have lived my 89 days before I make new vows.
I’ll wait to think about it until the 90th day comes, although I already have a few thoughts.
I look forward to the future.
Warmly, Sonia
