Getting older and things to be grateful for

Thank you - I have loved reading the things which give others pleasure and bring gratitude as we all get older. And today the sun has shone, the breeze has blown and I got a load of laundry dry in the garden!

For me it is being 75 and in good health. Amazing and I feel lucky and thankful.

I love on some days just doing very little. (I'm known in my family to have "ants in my pants" most of the time.

Ditto all the things you said ❤️

I am quite a bit younger than some of the posters on this thread - 60 in December - but I took semi-retirement last year and we moved to a different part of the country and I am enjoying the freedom l now have. After nearly forty years of teaching music to others and accompanying, I now have the time to practise my music for my own enjoyment. I have goals in mind of taking diplomas in all three of my instruments ATCL (Associate of Trinity College London) on the viola, LTCL (Licentiate) on violin and FTCL (Fellowship) on the piano. These are in ascending order of difficulty and prestige. DH asked me why I want to take these exams at the end of my career rather than at the beginning especially as I was awarded my music degree in 1986. I told him that l didn’t have the time years ago as I was launching my career and then getting married and having three children, one of whom has a significant disability. It is my time now and a goal to work towards.
I think the best thing about getting older is having nothing to prove to others, only to oneself.

Definitely the grandchildren. My two DDs and DSILs live near each other and each has a teenage son and a young daughter. Until 18 months ago we lived 300 miles away from them so only saw them a few times a year. Unfortunately I lost my husband last November but I am grateful for the fact that I am fit enough and have the energy for the girls, ages 5 & 7 years to stay overnight and to go on outings with them. I also love the fact that the boys still want to pop in to see me, even if it's only because they have been playing football on the field behind my house and they or one of their friends needs a wee or a drink 😅

Great adult children and a lovely daughter in law and grandchildren. I don't see any of them as much as I'd like as we live at a distance, but DD phones me almost every day. Accepting things that come with age is very freeing. I bought my grandson a present he was very excited about and a photo of me with him on my lap poring over the instruction sheet show the side of my head where the hair is thin and my scalp shows through. My first thought was 'What an awful photo!' and I was tempted to delete it.Then I realised it captured a really happy moment. My grandson rarely sits on my knee or even gets really close, so now it is a memory of a grandson loving his new fire engine rather than 'Bald Granny!' It's all about getting things into perspective!

I’m 66, retired 18 months, and really enjoying reading what other posters get joy from! Mine are:
1. My two DGCs, one of whom is named and gives Joy!!
2. Love Sunday nights and no Monday Schmonday feeling about work!
3. An hours read with a cuppa in my favourite chair in the early morning sunshine before my DH wakes.
4. Wearing comfortable trainers with a dress when socializing, how wonderful that it’s so acceptable now.
5. Feeling proud that my adult DCs are so conscious about caring for the environment in many ways.
6. My free bus/train pass!!
7. Working on the good friendships and letting the hard work ones slip gently away.
8. My iPhone for everything but knowing how to put it away!

For me, it is the security of a pension income. No worries about redundancy and suddenly not having an income, wondering how we would pay the mortgage and other bills. Worries about finding a new job, worries about keeping children clothed and in school.

I am grateful for good health for myself and OH, also my lovely family, good friends and still being able to travel the world.

I am with you Big Berthal, I have to practice "gratitude" and I am aware that I have a lot to be grateful for.. but....

Tuaim

I suppose for me it is not having to hang out with people I don't resonate with. For years I had relatives whom I entertained but looking back, were nothing short of obnoxious and friends who drained me with their endless stories of woe. Now that I am retired I live in my own 'chosen' world of people I get on with, hobbies I enjoy and most of all have time to look after 'me' and not have to put everyone else first. If my radar picks up 'negativity' I quietly move on.

Me too and it’s a great place to be

My

What a lovely thread ! My greatest joy is my one and only grandchild born four years ago when I was already 77. Such a wonderful surprise so late in life. I wrote this poem about him which I’d like to share with all you lovely Grandmas.

The tiny hand in mine
Little arms around my waist
Climbing on my shoulders
Looking up into my face
“I want to stay with Grandma”
Sweet music to my ears
I haven’t felt such joy as this
for many many years

He doesn’t realise that I’m old
That my skin doesn’t fit my face
He only know I’m here for him
At any time and place
And always love him as I do
This dear grandchild of mine
I’ll do my very best to live
Until I’m ninety-nine

Lovely poem lamusica. Brought a tear as I feel that way about my grandchildren.

Starof1972 I’m just like you I only want to spend time with my family, can’t be doing with other folks dramas.

My AC all live close by and I get to look after my youngest DGd 2 days a week. My Granny’s house should’ve had a revolving door due to number of visitors she had on a daily basis including her 5 DGC’s but there was always some neighbour or friend popping in, it’s only now I realised how much patience she had that I don’t.

I’m 70 and trying to practice the art of being a bit more selfish. Trying to stop feeling like I have to be rushing around all the time, doing things for other people. And sometimes being a bit clearer about what I want. I want more time/energy for the things and people I really like. But I do wonder how people are going to respond to the new person who says no .

I’m 65 and only been retired a few months. I’m still getting my head around the freedom I now enjoy and not feeling I should be doing something all the time. It’s taking a while but all your comments have really helped. And spending precious time with my gorgeous grandchildren (M5&F4), both of whom recently told me that they love me. I’m so fortunate x🥰

Starof1972- That’s just the way I feel! I have accepted that I like my own company apart from my AC and GC who thankfully live nearby. I am truly grateful for their love and company and that of all their pets; I am not well placed to have an animal of my own right now. I have always been something of an introvert although I do have flurries of getting involved with things from time to time, mainly because I think I ‘ought’ to! I don’t actually find many people with whom I’ve got much in common. They are perfectly nice but…? I read, listen to music, find interesting documentaries to watch on TV. I pursue my love of history, politics and current affairs. I sew and craft when the fancy takes me! I bake for my family regularly. I am so grateful for all of the above and feel blessed to have these riches. Most of all I am grateful for my continuing recovery from breast cancer and hope it will continue for many years. After all, I think time on this beautiful earth is what we all should be grateful for!

At 83 and in good health, I am very grateful. I am now the only one left of my family and I miss them all.
Thank goodness for my children and Grandchildren
.My daughter encouraged me to get a dog a few years ago and I am very grateful for that. My Westie Hattie is a joy to me. She is my reason to walk twice daily and I speak to lots of people while doing that.

I am very grateful that my adult children are healthy and happy. My grandchildren (15 and 12) seem to be as well. I have limited mobility now but am not in pain, and my brain is in reasonably good working order - I think!

It may sound mercenary, but I’m also grateful that I have enough money. I’ve never been rich, but I’ve never had to worry about whether I can pay the bills. I have no money worries, and neither have my children. That’s important.

Grandchildren and family. No more pressure to succeed at work or anywhere else! Time to enjoy our lovely new home in a quiet village, which still has a library.

lamusica what a lovely poem 🥰

Thank you Applegran! So lovely to hear.

Grateful for;
Not having to go out in cold and rainy weather.
Peaceful surroundings
Dressing how I feel for the day.
Acceptance of self and appearance. I am old and still here after kidney cancer.
Acceptance of being an introvert and being alone to think is lovely.
My two beautiful cats who keep me company and need looking after.
That I can afford good healthy food. (Thankyou Aunty Waitrose)
Thankful for a comfy affordable home.
Enjoying sitting out on my garden bench surrounded by flowers I have grown.
Less worry, more perspective.

I love this post! Yes accepting ourselves and also the aging process is very liberating and has so many things to be grateful for.