Pondering Aging

Today would have been my father's 102nd birthday. As I commented here back in September I am now older than he was when he died in 1964 when I was 16. I have become more aware of my age recently. Not because I am feeling older- I am actually feeling a lot younger than I did a year ago before I started exercising. I am becoming aware as I prepare to move to a new job that I do not have that whole career ahead of me that I did when I started out after college.

Taking a new job that could be considered a "career-enhancing" move at age 59 seems like a silly thing to do. (I did ask, by the way, if there was a mandatory retirement age. There isn't.) I have gone through one whole career already. From age 25 through age 55 I moved through the parish ministry doing many exciting and fulfilling things. When I moved into full-time counseling and secular ministry I don't think I saw it as a new career. It was more like, "Okay. I'll do this to fill time until retirement."

Well, I have discovered that I don't work that way. So after four years in the field full-time, I am discovering that I am not just sliding into retirement. I have a lot to offer yet. So what if in 7 or 8 years I will be past my mid-60s? That's 7 or 8 (or more) years that I can be doing what I enjoy. I can be working in a fulfilling occupation doing what I am called to do. What's wrong with that?

Perhaps it is like seeing what I am doing now as a second life- an extended chance. My father's career was cut short when he was only 55 by a brain tumor that eventually took his life. He didn't get this chance. We are younger today at age 60 than his generation was 50 years ago. I am going to take advantage of that.

Yes, there is a sadness in it. I do not have 20 or 30 years ahead of me in this career. But that's okay. I have what I have. Not many people get a chance to have such a full-fledged second career at my age. My dad didn't. I am grateful that I have that chance.