What’s Too Old?
My outlook on the future as I turn 90
As I turned 90 this summer, I saw the world anew. Not exactly through rose-colored glasses, but rather with a fresh awareness that I am very old now. I am changing in surprising ways, especially as I contemplate my future. “You are never too old to be what you want to be” has been my mantra for decades. I have successfully reinvented myself over and over about every 10 years throughout my long life and have loved each phase. But what about now? What do my 90s have in store for me?
Here’s a short version of the changes I’ve been through. I was a stay-at-home mom for nine years before going back to school for a Master’s in Social Work (MSW). I then worked for 10 years at a Community Mental Health Center as a psychotherapist and manager. At age 50, I pursued a PhD at Boston University’s night program in social psychology and then led a Diversity Consulting firm for 20 years. Later, I returned to being a psychotherapist until retiring at 87. My last book, Eightysomethings, about aging today, was published when I was 85. This journey was possible because I always had encouragement and support from my husband, John, and we were in a position to hire help when we needed it.
What’s Too Old?
Since turning 90 myself, plus being bombarded by all the media about what’s too old…
