"Is 60 really the new 50..?" 'Judith Whitehead' (Inspiration Sunday)

Judith Whitehead lives in Amherst New York.

 and has worked in the ophthalmology
 field of medicine for over 30 years

Is 60 really the new 50?

Is 60 really  the new 50..?

Turning 60+ yrs old somehow brings new emotions and goals to the table. 

When I was living through the 50’s I felt I had all the time in the world to reach my goals, retire and lead  
a leisurely life for the second half  of my time on this earth.  Since turning 60, oddly enough we have lost  several friends and family members in the same age group.  

Losing my last parent recently, my dad who  was 95 yrs old , at the time he passed, I have become more than aware that time is limited and fleeting.    

I have decided to take a positive step forward and take charge of my working hours; I now have  shortened my work week and am finally off one day a week.  It may seem like a small effort but it is  
extremely useful for much needed appointments,  relaxing, meeting with friends and even such a small  thing like taking the car for an oil change.  All these things can’t be accomplished on the weekends and  has made me feel much more relaxed.  

 I love the health field I have been working  in for over 35 years  
but now it is time to use my skills in other ways.  We have begun to travel more, spend more time with family and make our second half of life count more.   

Even though we keep on top of our health, we cannot foresee the future.  So many times people we  know are snatched from us at a younger age than we ever expected.  They are working much longer  hours and putting their health on the back burner.  There is a time to save and a time to enjoy life.  It’s a  delicate balance to  accomplish  both.     

Life is short, live each day to
the fullest!

My mom passed away at 70 yrs old; she had health issues most of her life and she definitely got it.  She  knew her life would not go on as long as my dad’s of 95 considering her life was full of ups and downs  and his was not complicated by any health issues.  They traveled in their mid life years and made the  very most of each day. 

Judith's parents, Rita & Bert Meyers

I am now able to put myself first for a change; I am still able to be a  guide  for my children which will be  forever but now I have more free time and a quiet house to enjoy.  

Is 60 the new 50? I’m not sure that is true.  Some days I feel 60 and when I get home from a 9-10 hour  day, I am good for nothing but putting my feet up on the couch and taking a nap.  Getting up at 5-A.M. is  definitely not as easy as it was 20 years ago.   

 I hear people’s stories all week, many spend hours going to their doctors offices, many have downsized  their homes and have gone condo or spend half their year in a warm spot.  I do look forward to some  day spending some of my cold months in a warm spot but am not quite ready just yet…still have to work  a bit longer.  It is nice to day dream about the near future though.  

My message here is to enjoy your pre-senior years, not everyone lives to be 95, as my dad did.  Do  not  stress the small issues, spend time enjoying your friends and family and chill.  Above all, keep on top of  your health issues; they are warning signs that to insure a healthy future you must preserve the present.  

Judith & Steve on their wedding day!

Life surely is a present and not to be taken for granted.  Take time and plan that trip you have been  dreaming about and take it…don’t count on tomorrow being there.

  

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