69 tomorrow

Happy Birthday anyway Sallywally - but is this the place to tell the rest of us how old we are?
Why is it hard to take in - it’s a fact.
And when I feel achey and weaker than I used to be I give myself a wobble and remember that I am older than the age any of my grandparents reached.
Finally, 7 years ago I asked DH what he would like for his 70th birthday. His answer was “To see it”
He did and died 5 weeks later.

sallywally1 Happy Birthday. I do know what you mean old age terrified me I'm 71 and found last year difficult. I would say travel on as you are and try not to think about the number too much.

Happy Birthday Sallywally. There are many joys awaiting you, however old you feel.
Old age is a privilege denied to some, so I have embraced my seventies with enthusiasm. I'm sure that you will, too , once you've readjusted.

Happy Birthday! I know how you feel. I will be 70 next year and although just another number it is scary. I am thankful to be reasonably fit and healthy and able to do the things I love, some of my friends are not to fortunate. My handstand and cartwheeling day are over though 😂

Not sure why I posted this, I think it is the realisation of how fast time is going and to make the most of the time left. Hope it didn’t come across as a moan! That was not my intention.

Well congratulations on your birthday, how lovely to be so young!! I am 79 on thre 10th July this year. Various medical issues, have bladder cancer but my bad back causes me more pain and frustration every day and I have to work my plans round my back so everything is done with SOB - that is state of back - prioritised. So I have a friend who has a catarct and at present cannot drive. She is a longterm driver as am I , and it is frustrating for her. So I do things like suggest to 2 or 3 friends and say I am happy to drive us to Saltburn or wherever if we can share the cost of the fuel. So we make the arrangements and I ring up before 8.30am if I am not going to bele to do it this time.I have lived abroad, travelled at a days notice etc etc, and whilst the body may be not so great my brain still works and that is what counts. I garden when I can, am a great reader with always about 3 books on the go . When i cant walk far I make a picnic stick that and my chair in the boot and go up Swaledale or to the coast and it is great to come and go as I please. We have had some days where all day it has been grey and miserable but cleared up at about 5pm so I stay to enjoy the evening and either have a sandwich with me or occasionally buy fish and chips to enjoy. The british seem to be obsessed with date of birth and it is added to any newspaper article. Just ignore it. inside I am still 26 with long copper hair and the confidence to go anywhere and learn from other people . I would be hopeless where the police say how old was the man? etc could tell you what colour his clothes were or his hair colour but age?? I have already passed the time where policemen looo so young! I have just come back from a very lastminute bargain holiday and been to the arctic, and to the most northerly garden in the world. Fantastic Dont look at the calendar, but live until you die!

Happy birthday for tomorrow. It is all a bit of a shock, I am near 80 than 70 but just try and forget all that. See your family and friends and join in with clubs and outings and keep as busy as you can. Have a happy day

I was 69 a few weeks ago and know how you feel, Sally,. I hate it when clinicians look at my notes and comment: Oh, you are 69 and so much going on. ☹ It makes me feel very old .

However, I am just glad to be still here due to chronic ill health and more than a few near misses!
At twenty one, in ICU for six weeks and newly married, my DH was told to prepare for the worst, but if I survived, I could never have children, nor work.
I proved everyone wrong. I have three children and worked as a teacher, until ill health forced me to tired on health grounds.

I think your mindset determines how old you feel. I haven't lost my zest for life and will continue to enjoy it, the best, but limited way I can.

Happy Birthday Sallywally. I know exactly how you feel. I was 71 last week and arriving in my 70's feels old to me.
My dad died at 74, my mum at 79.
I too have a few health issues but I still like the music I loved in the 1970's, I dress for me in what I like. My eldest granddaughter always says I look 'slay' which I think means you look good nanny.
Age is only a number, it's what you do with your life that matters.
Have a great day xx

I was very happy to reach 70 as my mother went to bed aged 69 and died in her sleep while apparently fit and well.
thankfully I am well past 70 now.

Many happy returns for tomorrow SallyWally!
I hope there is cake!
I often reflect around my birthday - especially the zeros, does no harm and prepares me to embrace the next decade.
Oddly enough l always think I'm a year older than l am, so I'm pleasantly surprised on my birthday that l haven't actually aged 😂

I’m with you Sallywally1 you’re only as old as you feel I’ll be 75 on my birthday, even although I’m into my 5th yr of stroke I’ve never felt nor looked so good in comparison to some of my friends. It’s all down to good living and a glass of red wine with my supper 👍👍

Happy Birthday Sallywally - wish I was 69 😂- have a lovely day ! 🎂🥂💐

Madeleine45
Your last sentence just sums it all up!

'Don't look at the calendar, but live until you die.'

Thank you Madeleine.

I am 70 now and don’t like it at all! Obviously most of my friends are same age as we went to school together. I feel very fortunate as most have had knee replacements or new hips, one has a hearing aid, another has heart problems, a couple have had cancer.

A couple of friends are 5 and 10 years younger and I do feel a bit envious that they will likely have more time here than me.

I just hope the 70s don’t disappear as fast as the 60s did. 😢 I was looking after my Mum during my 60s and although I don’t regret it I honestly don’t know where they went.

I realised I was old when I was 70, it w as a bit of a surprise as I had kidded myself I was middle aged, maybe late middle age…but not old.
So 70 was a bit hard to accept, but have just had my 76 th birthday which I celebrated by a long and very hilly walk by the sea and am grateful I can still do it.
I could have walked faster and better had I been 70, so enjoy life and yes, live until you die .

Primrose sorry to say that in my experience the 70 s just romp by.

Happy birthday, have a good one Sally.
Madeline, thank you for your lovely positive post, you are an inspiration to me !

Happy Birthday for tomorrow.
The good news is that you have made it thus far. We will all hope to get there, even if it’s a bit depressing when we do.

Happy birthday Sally

I think around one’s birthday one often considers ‘age’, ‘getting / being old’, etc., but then probably forgets that within a few weeks. You sound as if you are doing well - being fitter and slimmer than you were, so keep on doing whatever you’re doing! Happy Birthday!

Happy birthday for tomorrow Sallywally. I'm 67 and know what you mean.

I think the fact that my middle age (however one might define that) passed more quickly than any other time of my life. The years from around 40 to 60 seemed to be condensed to only 10 years. Then, suddenly, I was in my sixties and drawing a pension.

This is the birthday card I sent to an ex colleague not long ago - he’s a few years younger than me!

Have a fantastic birthday Sallywally1 🥂🎂💐

I just find it difficult to take in.
I think it is the realisation of how fast time is going and to make the most of the time left.

This resonates with me at the moment.
I was looking at a young mum on the school run this week, she was walking proudly on her obviously new platform sandals. I thought about how I'd worn them, back in the day, and gulped when I worked out that was half a century ago 😬

My husband and I have been discussing our pension plans with our financial advisor. How long do our funds need to last? How far ahead should we plan for?
My Granny lived to 98, Dad is 93, husband's dad was 90 and his mum is 96.
So in our late 60s I feel we're in a bit of a limbo.

I think madeleine45 sums it up nicely 😊