Member-only story
AGING WELL
At 75, I Was Looking for “What’s Next”
It was hiding in plain sight.
I’m 75, whether I like it or not. I can run from aging, but I can’t hide. There’s no going back.
I’ve won the trifecta of aging thus far: I’m in good health, have all my mental marbles, and have enough financial stability. I foresee continuing to live independently in my home. My social circle is a superpower of support and camaraderie. I’m one lucky chick.
When it comes to longevity, there is a fair chance that I have a good run ahead of me.
The New York Times reported recently that the healthiest 75-year-olds would “probably live another 20 (years) or so.”
On the online “Life Expectancy Calculator,” I learned that my odds of hitting 90 are good.
Fifteen years is a long time. I considered my options. Would I pick up something that felt unfinished? Or start fresh? Either way, I was looking for a substantive volunteer position with flexibility. A “what’s next.”
My options through the lens of reality
In 1970, I thought long and hard about joining the Peace Corps. The post-Kennedy-era concept of helping people in underdeveloped nations and sharing American ideals and expertise spoke to…
