# Golden years?! **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 11, 2023, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/golden-years/979611 "2023-02-11T05:10:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2023, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/golden-years/979611/21 "2023-02-11T18:46:43Z")
I am reasonably certain that there is no age range or stage of life that is universally “the best years of your life.” It varies enormously from person to person. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2023, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/golden-years/979611/22 "2023-02-11T18:54:14Z")
The grass is greener on the… side where we water it. I’m 61 and feel good for my age, although I had a recent health scare that I’ve fortunately had it dealt with and I’m working on it now too. Anyway it’s cool to be this age, even with its increasing limitations. Yeah, more pain and discomfort, yadda yadda, but still I think it’s cool. Oh and I recently celebrated turning 60 by getting my first tattoo! Woo-hoo! ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2023, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/golden-years/979611/23 "2023-02-11T18:56:04Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > It’s weird being the same age as old people. Ain’t that the truth! A couple of years back my brother and I attended a Boston concert (love that 70s rock music!) and we marveled at all the other people and how old _ **they** _ looked! ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2023, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/golden-years/979611/24 "2023-02-11T19:01:18Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > I am reasonably certain that there is no age range or stage of life that is universally “the best years of your life.” It varies enormously from person to person. Yeah. You have to take the good with the bad. Now is great, I have a loving wife of 26 years and enough money. When I was in my early 20’s I had neither. BUT I’ll never forget the fun we had. Setting up a volleyball net in a local park where just fantastic days. It was easier somehow then. Grab a case of beer, call a couple of friends, and you’re set to go. Today, I have to look at my calendar. Or I just know. “Um, I have to much to do”. But, I did call my best friend and we are going to lunch. Constantly multi-tasking. Never bored, but less spur-of-the-moment. Many, many balls in the air. What I have to keep reminding myself is to not get ahead of myself. Some things need to be done before others. You learn that with age. Otherwise 3 tasks become 6. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2023, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/golden-years/979611/25 "2023-02-11T19:07:09Z")
> [@Si\_Amigo](#): > > I think Bowie had it right, Golden Years should refer to your youth. I’m with Si\_Amigo on this.I feel like my 20s were the golden years. All the rights and privileges of adulthood but few of the responsibilities yet. With the vigor and vitality of youth. > [@ThelmaLou](#): > > > [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > > > Wait, what?? Do we know about this @Qadgop_the_Mercotan? Wishing you all the best. > > That one brought me up short, too! 😲 Did he talk about this somewhere and I missed it? Count me as another surprised and concerned to hear this. Best wishes from me as well, @Qadgop_the_Mercotan . ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2023, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/golden-years/979611/26 "2023-02-11T21:16:05Z")
I’ll add my best wishes to @Qadgop_the_Mercotan. I’m sorry you’re dealing with this at all. Today is my father’s 91st birthday. As he says, inside every old person is a young person, wondering what the hell happened! As his child who appears to have inherited his genes of longevity (but who knows?) and doing reasonably well in my mid 60s, I hope I’ll do as well at his age as he is doing. I think. Sometimes I wonder if a quick and thorough heart attack before one becomes too aged isn’t the best way to go. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2023, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/golden-years/979611/27 "2023-02-11T21:53:23Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > with getting a rather daunting cancer diagnosis Another voice of wishing you a smooth course. FWIW my MIL is on cancer number five … You using the word “daunting” though is of concern … To the subject of the OP - I am 63. No plans to retire but surprised my partners when I mentioned the possibility of maybe working a bit less intensely within several years. My perspective is that age is defined relative to me: “young” is younger than me and “old” is older than me. I am not old, there’s just lots more young folk around! My curls abandoned ship decades ago with my wife mourning their departure more than me. Physically I feel as good as ever. Motivated by @Dr_Paprika’s weightlifting thread I have re-upped my fitness game, have a resting pulse in the low 40s, and feel I _could_ still train up for a half iron man again if I wanted to. I plan on aging slowly and well, functioning fully until I one day suddenly do not. A man has dreams. Emotionally it’s the stress and worry of spousal chronic and recurring illnesses that elevate my cortisol. Not fair to her that she gets all the bad cards dealt from the health deck to our partnership. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2023, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/golden-years/979611/28 "2023-02-11T22:17:22Z")
You’re giving me too much credit for your decision to exercise more. But it’s a good decision. I believe that Qadgop is going to be making syrup for many more years yet. ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Tan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/charlie_tan/32/12582_2.png) [@Charlie\_Tan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Tan)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2023, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/golden-years/979611/29 "2023-02-11T22:30:08Z")
I keep wondering how growing old happened so damned fast. It feels as if the 90s and Y2K was just a few years back. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2023, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/golden-years/979611/30 "2023-02-11T22:30:27Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > Emotionally it’s the stress and worry of spousal chronic and recurring illnesses that elevate my cortisol. Not fair to her that she gets all the bad cards dealt from the health deck to our partnership. Yeah. Been there, done that. Lots of difficulties for her and one feels guilty somehow for riding so much more lightly in that saddle. The good news is how much more energy that disparity affords you to devote to making her life all it can be for her despite her challenges. Good luck to you both! ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2023, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/golden-years/979611/31 "2023-02-11T23:02:30Z")
Unfortunate folk in their 60s are bemoaning so much. Doubt it will get better in your 70s or 80 (if you make it.) Wife and I are 61-62. No real complaints. Just booked a ski trip for next month - we’ll see how that goes. We’ve got all the time to do what we want, and the money to be comfortable doing it. Sure - aches and pains, we feel invisible in our community and irrelevant to much of society, but that doesn’t bother us too much. Can be a tad daunting looking forward and figuring 20 years or so is all we can really expect, but OTOH, 20 years is a pretty long time. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2023, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/golden-years/979611/32 "2023-02-11T23:56:12Z")
Had my hip replaced 3 years ago. It went well. But since I was going to need to kind of take it easy for a while I hired a guy to plow my drive. I normally do that. I had to pull out the 30 something plow driver that I hired with my own plow truck 3-4 times. I was just mobile at that point. I could fire up my truck and hook it up. The plow guy I hired, did not ask to renew the contract. “When you don’t get what you want, you get experience”. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2023, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/golden-years/979611/33 "2023-02-12T00:05:40Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Did he talk about this somewhere and I missed it? I’ve mentioned it in a few threads where I felt it was relevant to the discussion, but that’s it. I’ve not shared a ton of details. Briefly, a Gleason 9 (tends to be aggressive) prostatic adenocarcinoma, _probably_ localized (but fancy PET scan study picked up a ‘weird’ spot in my sternum that needs monitoring despite sternal CT and MRI showing it to probably be a benign thingy), being treated with radiation (ugh) and hormone therapy (tenfold ugh). I could have opted for radical prostatectomy but survival rate for my age group is just as good for rad/hormone rx, so why go thru major surgery and a year or more of incontinence? ---
**Author:** ![LurkMeister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@LurkMeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkMeister)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2023, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/golden-years/979611/34 "2023-02-12T00:45:32Z")
I turned 70 last year. Not to scare the OP, but at 64 is about when my health problems started to appear. (I like to tell people that my warranty expired.) Two heart stents, fatty liver disease, anemia apparently related to stomach bleeders, and most recently tachycardia and A-fib. The last seems to have responded to an ablation treatment, but since the anemia seems to be acerbated by the blood thinner prescribed for the A-fib my cardiologist has referred me to another doctor for possible alternative treatment. Other than that, I;m doing fine. ---
**Author:** ![Jaycat.again](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jaycat.again/32/11525_2.png) [@Jaycat.again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaycat.again)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2023, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/golden-years/979611/35 "2023-02-12T02:33:21Z")
I’m 70. Just got home from playing music with my buddies for four hours. Tomorrow I’m playing at another jam for 3 hours. Yesterday I did my monthly gig at the old folks\* home. Then on Monday I punch back in for my editing gig with the local weekly newspaper. Yes I ache all over. Yes I’ve had two back surgeries. But guess what, I don’t have to stand at the bus stop any more in the rain and snow to go downtown and punch a clock every day. So I do consider these my golden years, and I’m hoping for many more \*Old Folks=those of my age who live in a nursing facility. I always tell them, save me a spot, I’ll be along some day. ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2023, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/golden-years/979611/36 "2023-02-12T03:01:13Z")
Best wishes, @Qadgop_the_Mercotan. I turned 86 a couple weeks ago and feel old old. Just 5 years ago, I felt entirely comfortable walking 4 miles to my office (as a prof. emeritus, I am entitled to office space). But by 4 years ago I no longer could. I was also entirely comfortable with going down 80 steps to the Metro (there was an escalator going up) although I used a railing. Now I can go down only by hanging on to the railing with both hands and haven’t done it since the pandemic hit. One eye was ruined in a botched cataract operation (but the other is better than it ever was) and I can now drive without glasses (although my licence is still restricted). Fortunately, there are no money worries and I have a wealthy son to bail me out if inflation were to cause serious problems, since my pension is fixed, if quite generous. But if I had to choose a metallic metaphor, I would call these the leaden years. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2023, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/golden-years/979611/37 "2023-02-12T03:07:52Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > …probably be a benign thingy… Fingers crossed for the _benign thingy._ 🤞🏽 * * * > [@Hari\_Seldon](#): > > But if I had to choose a metallic metaphor, I would call these the leaden years. I endorse this terminology. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2023, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/golden-years/979611/38 "2023-02-12T03:47:37Z")
Prayers and blessings to you, @Qadgop_the_Mercotan . ---
**Author:** ![InternetLegend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/internetlegend/32/13154_2.png) [@InternetLegend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InternetLegend)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2023, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/golden-years/979611/39 "2023-02-12T05:42:18Z")
You know, Mr. Legend and I worried for most of our adult lives because we didn’t think we had enough time (or spare cash) to find any kind of retirement. So when we realized we had, through years of hard work and saving - and especially some really good fortune, we were going to be able to actually retire in our 60’s, we were really looking forward to it! Unfortunately, it somehow slipped our minds that money wasn’t the only thing to worry about, so now we’re looking at spending that retirement money on healthcare and accessories rather than world travel. It does best worrying about both money and health, though. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2023, 11:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/golden-years/979611/40 "2023-02-12T11:43:45Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > > [@Ethilrist](#): > > > > It’s weird being the same age as old people. > > Ain’t that the truth! > > A couple of years back my brother and I attended a Boston concert (love that 70s rock music!) and we marveled at all the other people and how old _ **they** _ looked! I was rear-ended by a woman at an intersection. When telling the story later, I described her as an old lady. I then instantly remembered that, when she and I exchanged info at the scene, her driver’s license indicated that she was four years younger than me. mmm [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/golden-years/979611.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/golden-years/979611.md?page=3)