What do you enjoy about getting old?

[Zorba]

Another thing I like as I get older is that afternoon nap.

The last few years I worked before I retired from an IT job at 57, I was really starting to have problems at work as I didn't want to get up so damn early, and I wanted a nap in the afternoon - the latter of which described my father at the same point in his life. But now I take a nap every afternoon.

Most Belly Dancers retire at around age 60, I'm now halfway between that and age 70, when pretty much the rest of the Belly Dancers retire. I knew one who made it until about 84 or so, and there's one or two in California whose exact age I don't know, but they've been dancing since Christ was a Corporal, so they're "up there". In any event, its getting harder - my damn hamstrings and hip flexors continue to give me grief. I'll go as long as I can - when I stop dancing, my life will pretty much be over. I'm going to dance classes 4 nites a week, which includes Bianca's "Yoga for Belly Dancers" which is probably the only thing that is keeping me going. And that class fucking kills me - I usually come out of it feeling like I've participated in some kind of primitive feminine fertility and birthing ritual. But its what I need, even though I generally feel like a wishbone. Who knew there were that many ways to spread your legs? OUCH!

 

[DavidBT]

Since Chris started this thread, I really haven't been able to put a thought about why. I've never been the smartest frog in the pond, and I'm the first to admit that to anyone. I remember my best friend and I having a long phone conversations a few years back. He had been fighting cancer and I was still working, commuting through the SF bay area. I would call him during my long commutes back home to check in on how he was doing. When we're young, we think we're invincible. When we watch our friends die, one by one, older or younger than we are, you kinda wonder. I've never been a religious person, and never will be, that's just me. I'm pretty happy where I'm at in life, though I wish I was smarter about money, see above. I guess I'm pretty happy about not having to set a alarm clock anymore, never have been a morning person, unless it was catching a low tide for Abalone.

 

[Cheesy]

70 is around the corner. I'm still bicycling, motorcycling, and roller skating. I don't cover the miles I used to on a bicycle, I prefer 3 wheels to 2 with the moto but that's just because swinging my leg over my 46 year old CX is getting painful. I'm thinking of letting it go and getting a bike with a lower seat height. I'm nowhere near as good a skater as I was in my 30's but I still hit the rink a couple times a week. I think my youngest grandson, Owen, is better at 9 years old than I ever was.
On the plus side, I have no fear of telling anyone to Fuck Off now. I can take a nap whenever I want and I now understand why my Dad always goes to bed early. I no longer have deadlines to meet. I volunteer for stuff I want to do and there is very little that I now have to do. If Mrs.Cheesy and I want to go camping for a week, we go. With no more living in hotels, dinner in hotel bars, or killing time in airports, I've managed to drop enough weight that I'm now under what I was when I was bicycle racing in my 30's.

This pretty much sums it up, though.

 

[B1Toad]

When you reach a certain point you start thinking about a different kind of lift.

 

[Mhass]

I've read this whole thread and meant to comment a few times, but always saw something shiny and got distracted. Getting ready for this intercontinental move is a big chore! Hopefully with a big payoff.

I enjoy a lot of what everyone else has covered. Not too keen on the physical decay. I should be ok on that front though, my dad is 90 and still very active and lives alone. Mom lived to 87, grandpa to 98. I have good genetics and, at 60, can still pull off a marathon or a 100 mile bike ride if I really want to.
I think, without trying to sound too smarmy or preachy, that my favorite thing is really my deepening relationship with a God of my understanding.
Finally leaning that my parents and their church had good intentions, they were just really shitty teachers (with an unwilling student!), and my personal relationship with the Father, through the Son and aided by the Holy Spirit is improving immeasurably!
It impacts every part of my life for the better.
I live in a constant state of gratitude and amazing grace now. Even the trials can be turned to good and knowing that, makes everything good.

 

[Squatch]

Even the trials can be turned to good and knowing that, makes everything good.

^^^Absolutely this^^^ If I didn't truly believe this, I think I'd lose it some days...

 

[Mhass]

^^^Absolutely this^^^ If I didn't truly believe this, I think I'd lose it some days...

Example: we're selling our home and my daughter and son-in-law were visiting the night before the first showing.
SIL came up to the garage and said, "There's a really loud noise, like a beeping in the basement."
It was the sewage pump! The night before our first showing!
Here's the blessing-i can fix this myself, I picked up a new one from the local hardware store instead of having to drive to the big box store 35 miles away.
It cost about $50 more than in town but I have the money.
It also was a quick install with no changes needed to the plumbing.
Done in about 3 hours.
Didn't even stress.
It sounds stupid to take a broken sewage pump as a blessing, but it was!