Wow!  I didn't see anyone claim their childhood.  That is the age that I would love to revisit.  Letting someone else do the worrying about how things were going to turn out. 

Don't get me wrong.  I didn't have a great childhood but of some of the things that I could change.  Like spending more time with my parents.  I lost both of my parents by the time I was 16.  I did enjoy learning to plant a garden, earning a quarter to peddle vegetables to those that couldn't get to the farms, going with my dad to tear down an old building, caring for animals, playing baseball on the corner lot, having someone tell you that everything will be okay and having good friends.  The first heartthrob, and even the crush when the limelight settle.  Learning that you can find pleasure in simple things and making your own fun. 

Not terrific but still quite memorible childhood.

Theresa

truth be known I would love to be in my 30's ....of course I was at my best physically but maybe not at my best emotionally  I'm better off now having lived through the experiences I've had since then...if I could combine being 30 with the knowledge I have now, look out world !!!   I would be on top of the world 

There is no doubt that today I am where I should be! Things that used to bother me, no longer do. Experience has taught me to live and let live. Sure I have to work 2 jobs in order to live but when that phone rings and this little voice says Hi Grandma- YAHOO life is so good! 

I would have to say in my mid/late 20s.  I was in love like never before.  Throw in a group of friends and we bar-hopped, gate-crashed parties or went dancing on week-ends.  We drank and drove.    Today I shudder when I recall this.  Fortunately,  nothing drastic happened to scar us for life.  Every Thursday we watched British wrestling on TV at my house.  The program started at 8.00 p.m. and people started coming in at 7.00 to reserve their seats.  Some sat on the floor.  After the show we took another  hour anaylzing the match.  That's an experience you only go through once.

I would say in my late 30' and early 40's.My children were coming into there own., were less dependent  on me.I had met my  second husband and life seem to be getting just a little bit easier.

My will to live a better and stronger life was growing in leaps and bounds and i did just that.By looking forward to vacations and weekend trip that included all family members able to attend.Yes it was great and i cherish the memories.Even now at 65 ,I may not be able to take on everything(i know my limitations)but i do take on what i can and there's is know such word as i can't.

nidajordyn   

Thanks Ohio, but I am soon to be 66 and still commanding my own life and my career and plan to for some time yet. I am truly blessed with reasonable health, still got something going on upstairs will finish my Masters degree in April and working everyday helping others much older then myself maintain the quality of life they have chosen for themselves. The only thing missing in my life is a quality man to share it, but I figure if that is all I have missed out on I am still a very blessed woman

Rose

Good for you Rose. 

I was not so much a late bloomer, as I had other responsibilites before developing myself..  In my early years I was a stay at home mom.  At 36, I changed my future prospects.  I took my life in my own hands, went back to school, got my degree, went to work. 

I relate to all the women here who speak of coming into their strengths, and feeling their confidence. 

If you are comfortable in your own skin at 55,  you are still commanding your career and your world . . good for you!

And Rose, I find that I get tremendous satisfaction out of the things I can do now,  at 67.  I like how you said it "I am doing many things that reinforce that it isn't over yet."     So true!

Judy