THE JOYS OF BEING OVER 50
You may not all believe me while you are so busy but I think the 50’s is a wonderful age,
I remember when I turned 50 – fit, well, active and employed, I thought: ”Well , I’ve crossed the line. I can’t pretend I’m young any more” . How silly. The second phase of good times was just beginning, as I can look back from age 80 now and see clearly.
My generation tended to marry in our early 20s and soon have a family. We took it for granted really, not realizing how lucky we were. The pill was not available till after our second child was born. The problem back then was how NOT to get pregnant unlike today where at a later age many are having to resort, often unsuccessfully, to IVF.
Although women often had to leave work after they became married, most of my friends worked outside the home in some capacity after the children started school. Some helped in their husband’s business including office or farming while others were employed casually, and many were volunteers in valued areas. There were lots of skilled dressmakers among them too – not only smart clothes for themselves but for the whole family. It’s good to see the young ones building up businesses for themselves now using these skills with the help of the internet for their marketing.
Our family was completed when we were about 35. We had some lean times early and some great times and holidays with them as they grew up, but by our mid 50s the family dynamics had changed. We watched their new careers and enjoyed their new friends, interests and achievements and were free to travel ourselves when the opportunities arose. And then ………….we became GRANDPARENTS!
And THAT is the joy of being in your 50s – or 60s as the case may be. There has never been a child as adorable as your grandchild or grandchildren, and if you are fortunate, as we have been, and can have lots of contact with them you are truly blessed – and I’m sure they are too.
But the best is yet to come! We are now great- grandparents and the joy continues.
(Family holidays were spent at the beach and when something like the grounding of the Cherry Venture occurred it was an exciting event to witness as a family)
BLOG: Oldun Days