In My Experience- I Agree

Here was a news item on the Associated Press last week that made me even happier than I already am:

Despite myth, old age is the happiest time, research says

By LINDSEY TANNER
AP Medical Writer

CHICAGO (AP) -- Newsflash for rock stars and teenagers: It turns out everything doesn't go downhill as we age - the golden years really are golden.

That's according to eye-opening research that found the happiest Americans are the oldest, and older adults are more socially active than the stereotype of the lonely senior suggests.

The two go hand-in-hand - being social can help keep away the blues.

"The good news is that with age comes happiness," said study author Yang Yang, a University of Chicago sociologist. "Life gets better in one's perception as one ages."

A certain amount of distress in old age is inevitable, including aches, pains and deaths of loved ones and friends. But older people generally have learned to be more content with what they have than younger adults, Yang said.

I like it. I agree. There is often an emotional freedom and a freeing perspective that occurs as one gets older. Yes, the aches and pains are real and you are more cautious about some things. Yes, there is a sense of time passing and the grief process that goes with it.

But at the same time there is also much to be grateful for and much to enjoy.