How old are you?

I have suddenly become aware of my mortality and it has led to unwelcome rumination. I am 71 and fit and healthy. I suddenly felt overwhelmingly sad that I did not have the grandchildren that my friends have. Silly I know.. Still have my DH who is lovely and good friends. I should be counting my blessings.

Ageing isn't much fun, especially with long term health problems, but better than the alternative.?

Bijou wow you are wonderful 99 and still going strong and they say older folk don’t use the Internet
When is your Birthday we must have a big celebration on here? ??

I’m 68 and pretty pragmatic about ageing. I was diagnosed with severe heart failure and a prognosis of possibly 3 years- that was 4 years ago and I’m still here!
My parents lived to 96 and 93, dying within 3 months of each other so theoretically I could have another 25 years but it’s very unlikely.
I don’t worry about dying it’s how that slightly concerns me, nothing I can do about that though.
I and trying to be upbeat and positive as much of the time as I can (not always easy!) and I have plenty of interests to keep me occupied so I am very rarely bored.
My two DCs are doing very well and my two DGCs are wonderful ?

I will be 65 next month. Eek! How did that happen? I am very much aware of what I see as limited time now left to do some of the things I might enjoy. I do have some health conditions - well life has been stressful. I do sometimes feel a little fearful of my future but try to come back at it with a positive attitude. I would love to see my GC grow up.

When asked my age by my very young DGD I proclaimed I’m 21. ?
She wondered why I’m younger than her daddy (our son) who is 36. Hmm. Okay, I’m now ‘officially’ 37.
He and his older brother think DH and I can do everything we did when they were young and with the same gusto. That’s heartening but in reality we display the signs of our age; add 30 years on to the alleged 37 for both of us.
Pretty soon, she’ll suss me though she never asks granddad how old he is!

All I would say is why are you dwelling on something that is upsetting you

Put it out of your mind and go out for a lovely walk in the fresh air instead

Joking aside, I do think that the older you get there are times when you might ponder your mortality and become aware that you have spent more time on Earth than you now have left to live on it. I think that’s probably normal, but there’s little point in worrying about it. I think that for most of us, it’s the quality of our life and the way the lead up to our death might be that can be concerning. Overall, though, I try not to dwell on it and aim to live each day as it comes in the best way I’m able to.

I'm almost 75, 3 years older than my dad when he died and only another 3 years to go before I'm older than my mother when she died. I feel I have always just 'got on' with my life, good or bad and have accepted I will die one day. It doesn't really bother me. However I have always been reasonably fit and healthy but now suffering minor ailments which cause a lot of pain and which curtail my activities. I hate that and can see a time when I've had enough and I'm ready to go. I hope that's long before I become dependent on anyone else.

I have always encouraged my family to be open and discuss these things and feel that I'm preparing my young DGC by regularly saying things like, 'You'll remember this and laugh when I'm dead.' on fun (or funny) occasions. One thing's for sure, we are all going to die so we may as well make the most of every day and stop fretting about it.

How old am I? A bit older than my teeth ?.

I am 71. Retired at 69 and would still be working but for Covid. Had one heart attack five years ago. Since retiring I have had time to reflect on my mortality but since it is inevitable I have decided not to worry about it. ?

Hope this makes you all feel a little better I'm now 43, I was diagnosed with severe heart failure at 36. My dad died suddenly aged 49. My point is don't worry about the week the month the year ahead live each day as it comes to the fullest, I have everything to live for now, 1st time granny I'm so glad my eldest had a baby whilst she was young lol

Yes, Caleo, it is the manner of death which is scary. I suppose we fear prolonged suffering and pain, naturally, but not death itself.

I forgot to add..I am 77 next week. and I have been very aware of death since preschool days. I remember hoping that I would not be very poor in my next life..I was about five brought up CofE and I ouldn't believe how brave my mother was being so near death because of her age..(she died when she was 95). My favourite places as a child were graveyards..I loved reading gravestones and was so impressed by their bravery, 'thy will be done' after listing many dead children. Now I love resurrecting dead ancestors. I go deep into their lives as I can and pay homage. All those hopes and weddings and babies...all gone and forgotten. But not by me. But now I don't fear it and hope I don't come back, as life is hard whatever species ...perhaps a bird. It must be brilliant to fly under your own steam.

Deba that is so inspiring. I love these posts too.

I’ve been living with the concept of death from a young age. Every birthday is a bonus

Regarding death, Henetha, naturally I am not afraid of being dead as the dead are not subject to experience any more than other collections of dust . I do fear dying in pain and suffering and for decades have sent regular monthly donations to Dignity In Dying.

I can't remember what I was right about, Henetha but thanks . I am surprised I am so old. I was in a phone video last Sunday all unawares and was amazed I looked like an old lady in it.

In three months I will be 80 and because I feel getting to this age is quite an achievement I’m planning on taking a (solo) overseas trip to visit my brother (who is widowed) and along with taking a couple of day trips and a couple of 3 day organized mini breaks to places I’ve never visited before, I will also be meeting up with three girlfriends the same age as me, and amazingly we have known each other since kindergarten! I’ll be away from home for just over 3 weeks and I’m acutely aware of how fortunate I am that I still enjoy planning a special trip like this. I live each day at a time and realize the importance of reaching out and making new friendships whenever the opportunity arises - even at this stage in life. I don’t think much about death and dying ……I think more about what veggies to grow in my allotment this year! I do have a few aches and pains when I get out of bed some mornings…..but my ongoing commitment to my daily yoga practise really does help with this. I really do love life….one day at a time!

We were sat in the garden yesterday having the house move conversation.
We have family living with us at the moment, but when they go (if they ever go) the house will be too big.
But I really don’t feel ready for that next move, I like having the space, and if we downsized I’d have to get rid of lots of things I don’t want to part with.
But it’s not just about things, it’s about state of mind, if we made our lives too cosy, I think we would age more quickly.
Yesterday we cut up and moved a load of logs, I can’t say I enjoyed it, but felt good when it was done.
I suppose one day not to far away, it will all seem like too much effort, and then perhaps the time will have come.

I'm so glad this thread was started,it is probably one of the best I have seen on Gransnet-relevant, comforting and inspiring.
I'm 61 in November and I must admit it did have quite an unexpected affect on me. Suddenly I felt in a different place. I think this was started by an unrelated discussion with my daughter about how quickly the past 20 years had gone which triggered an existential crisis that I may only have another 20 left!
It has been a busy 20 or so years,the death of my parents,the wedding of my eldest daughter and subsequent birth of grandchildren. We seemed to have a spell in the last 5 years of many deaths of family and friends-some expected and some not. Then of course we had the pandemic which as a diabetic was terrifying.
I must admit at the moment i am very much counting my blessings.
I was fortunate enough to be able to travel between 2017 and 2019 and I have so many wonderful memories. I was lucky enough to have a small amount of savings to ride out the worst of the pandemic. There is little left but I view that time as a proverbial rainy day.
I have gone from 25 years of working part time to full time which is tiring. I've frequently felt frustrated that a while ago I would have been able to retire at 60. The job I was doing for the past year was with lovely people but not quite for me for various reasons. I have obtained a new one which is me.! Still full time but looking at how I have developed over past year I'm at peace with that.
I always seem to feel a little tired and the wrinkles seem to appear more frequently, make up doesnt seem to cover as much as it once did!
After two years of having my hair it's natural colour I felt dull and grey so I had my origional highlights put back in -only subtly. It's amazing how its lifted my mood. Interestingly people havent noticed the change in colour but have commented how well I look-which in turn has given me a boost!
So I'm working hard at turning the negatives into positives. Retirement is still 7 years away but I will be doing a job that is satisfying. In the current climate I count my blessings that I have a regular income and no mortgage/ rent. I have so much to be thankful for and there are no guarantees in life. Occasionally fear for the future rises its ugly head,especially losing capacity. As my late mother often said your biggest fear never happens and if it does you will cope.

We are both in our 80s, and have some health issues, but life is ahead of us!
We both have friends, interests and hobbies, and so keep mentally and physically active.
Mental attitude counts for a lot. Because of physical constraints, some things are no longer as attractive, or possible. Stair climbing and walking are slower than they used to be, but that does not stop us!

Yes, eventually, for some reason, we shall die.
This is not a rehearsal, there is no second act.
But until then, make the most of what you have!

Yesterday, I visited a friend who was 97 the day before. Has vision problems, but walks without a stick, and is very keen to exhibit and steward at on a stand that I am organising at an exhibition.
A role model for us all.

I'm amazed to find someone on here who is older than me, Caleo. You are right.
I think it was Shakespeare who said something like this,( might be worded slightly incorrectly.)
"Of all the things that men do fear, death is the most foolish since it is inevitable "

Since 2020 it's virtually impossible to see ourselves living long, happy and healthy lives. Until something radically changes, we won't find peace in ourselves. I read somewhere that, as a species, we are hard-wired to fear.

timetogo2016

Old enough to know better,too old to care.

Ditto