How Do I Love Being 65? Let Me Count the Ways

5. Looming retirement. The years of waking up at 5:30 a.m. to get the kids off to school and myself to work are coming to an end. The only reason I get up that early now is to use the bathroom ... for the fourth or fifth time.

6. Enduring friendships. I’d much rather have two trustworthy friends than 10 who move in and out of my life. The connections are deeper and more meaningful to me. For this reason, I make an effort to prioritize time with my friends and have no problem sacrificing my diet for a late-night pep talk over a tub of rocky road ice cream.

7. No regrets. I refuse to waste the last chapter of my life hanging on to old resentments and regrets. Those toxic emotions only stunt my personal growth, so I’ve let them go. At this age, it’s easier to forgive, forget and move on.

8. Time to smell the roses. I’m no longer rushing to get to the finish line. Instead, I’m slowing down to live in the moment. Life is short: Eat the cake — and add a slice of pizza while you’re at it.

9. Spiritual connections. I spent the past few years reading my Bible from beginning to end, and the Scriptures’ bearing on my life has been a real eye-opener. I feel a deeper relationship to a higher power, which has led to more reflection and self-awareness.

10. Economic advantages. Now that I have Medicare, the lower cost of health care has been a boost to my budget, as has my husband’s pension, Social Security and our retirement savings. Although I still work part-time, I have fewer financial responsibilities and the freedom to explore other interests such as gardening and traveling.

11. More confidence. When I was younger, I skipped pool parties because I was too insecure to be seen in a bathing suit. But with age comes the power of invisibility; no one notices me on the cruise ship doing the macarena in my bright Hawaiian tankini. I’m finally comfortable in my own skin, flaws and all.

12. Veto power. For years I hated to disappoint others, so I was easily persuaded to volunteer: “Sure, I’ll drive you to the airport during rush hour.” “Yes, I’ll cancel my dinner plans to babysit the (possibly rabid) possum you rescued from under the neighbor’s house.” Thankfully, being older means people expect less from me; however, if they do ask for something I don’t want to do, it’s easier to say no.

13. More wisdom. At 65, I have a greater accumulation of life knowledge and a stronger intuition. I listen to my gut more and don’t let my mind get cluttered with negative static — which helps me make smarter choices. Of course, I’ve made my share of mistakes, but I use my hard-earned lessons to help others.

14. Grandkids. Watching my children grow into successful, happy adults, who now have children of their own, is one of life’s best rewards. I get to enjoy all the snuggles and laughter of my grandbabies without the sleepless nights and spaghetti-sauce finger-painting on my walls.

15. Deeper appreciation and gratitude. Aging is a gift, and every morning when I wake I’m grateful to have another day, even though my body may snap, crackle and pop when I roll out of bed. I nurture a positivity I lacked when I was young and took everything for granted. These truly are the “golden years,” and I plan on living them to the fullest. Now pass me another slice of cake.

AARP essays share a point of view in the author’s voice, drawn from expertise or experience, and do not necessarily reflect the views of AARP.