Aging Gracefully…Fifty-Something!

I’m so excited about today’s Aging Gracefully post. My buddy Lynn is guest posting today. Last week I started this from the forty-something perspective, this week Lynn brings a fifty-something perspective on aging gracefully! First let me tell you a little bit about her…

Lynn has two daughters. One of them, as she puts it, “lives in heaven”. Her daughter who lives on ‘this side of eternity’ and (“crazy”)son-in-law have 3 precious little girls and one on the way! Lynn has been married to David for 30 years…(“happily married for 28 of those!”) She’s semi-retired, after owning boutiques for 11 years. (The woman has amazing taste in clothes and with decorating a home!)Now she dabbles a bit in Real Estate investing. She’s always loved God and been a Christian for about 25 years. Remember last week when I told you the upcoming posts would be written by women who had seen life’s bliss and life’s pain? In Lynn’s own words:

“God has seen me through: teen pregnancy, divorce, breast cancer, loss of a child, loss of both parents, husband’s prostate cancer and many more of life’s challenges. One thing I’ve learned; GOD IS GOOD, ALL THE TIME!”

Oh and lest I forget, here is Lynn’s precious companion…Tallulah…this is one smoochable pup Peeps!!!

I emailed Lynn some questions on aging gracefully…here’s the scoop~

Q: Is life at fifty-something what you thought it would be? If not, how is it different?

A:When I was younger, I thought 50 was old. I don’t feel old. I’m much more content now than I was when I was younger. Simpler things make me happy.

Q:What has surprised you the most about getting older?

A:I sometimes get tired. I never used to get tired. I’d go go go. Now, I stop and rest.

Q:What do you wish someone had told you when you were in your 20’s or 30’s?

A:Not to sweat the small stuff. Just let things go. Life is so very short and we only have so much time to love people.

Q: What gives you joy these days? Has that changed from your 20’s or 30’s?

A:My grandchildren give me so much joy. It’s like a second chance at being a mother…cause I sure didn’t know what I was doing the first time! I love romantic dinners with my husband and walking on the beach is my all time favorite thing to do.

Q: How have you dealt with changes in your body?

A:This has been one of the most difficult things to deal with in getting older. I never had a weight problem and I don’t believe I have one now…I just weigh more. I have Hypo-thyroid and dealing with menopause. I’m doing the best I can. I think accepting my body is the bigger challenge.

Q: How do you deal with loss and pain now that may be different than when you were younger?

A:I know only too well that it is a part of living. Just taking things as they come and trusting God in ALL things. We’ll find out when we get to heaven the “whys”.

When I was younger, I thought I had to know the “why’s”. That was a waste of time!

Q: What motivates you these days?

A:The Word of God and all it’s truths.

Q:How do your friendships with other women impact your life?

A:Working full time my whole life didn’t give me a lot of time to develop friendships. I am close with my family. Now that I don’t own a business, I hope to develop more friendships. Friends are an investment, they take time.

Q: Do you find you are still making new friends or are your friendships from years past the ones you return to?

A:I have 3 old friends that I can call on at anytime. I cherish them but they are all far away. I hope to make new friends the rest of my life…

Q:What do you wish someone had told you about getting older?

A:Things change. Learn to accept what comes your way and learn from it. Maybe help somebody else out that’s going through what you’ve been through. Experiencing things teaches you like nothing else.

Q: What would you say, is your bliss?

A:Watching my kids grow closer to God, serving Him and raising their own kids to know Him. There is nothing better.

Thank you Lynn for giving your input on Aging Gracefully…I love it that you mentioned that simple things make you happy these days. I feel that way too. And I so appreciate that you have stopped struggling to find out the “whys”. I still spend too much time in the “why” department. The fact that your children growing close to God and raising their own kids to know Him is bliss for you says so much about you as a mother and a daughter of God. And thank you for your honesty with the physical aspects of growing older…it’s so often the elephant in the room that no one will address. Especially, I’ve noticed in Christian circles…like we’re supposed to be “above” thinking about our bodies…it is what it is and for me at least, it helps to know other women find this a bit difficult!

Can anybody relate? Do you find yourself happy with the simple things as you get older? Do you change gears more easily these days? Love to you Peeps as we go out today and live the legacy we want to leave…

I’m linking today to Beautiful Life Friday over at Inspired Rooms with Melissa. There are lots of links there to help you live your beautiful life~