Community Chat

[LilacTree]

On 9/27/2014 terrier3 said:

On 9/11/2014 Ford1224 said:

As I wrote somewhere within this thread, I am very grateful for the amount of years I've lived. My beloved sister is already gone, my dear mother died at age 49. My father died at 83 and he was pretty healthy except for some dementia. So I have never lost sight of how lucky I am. I wish I was healthier, but feel that is a supremely selfish thought. I'm still here, I get to have another day (be it at the dentist . . . ugh).

As many of you have posted, with all those around us who have died before they've even had a chance to live, any of us this age is fortunate beyond words.

Ford1224 - You have got your mind, your ability to communicate (very well!) and your feisty will to do the right thing and get what is your due.

That's really living life to the fullest, even if your body is less than cooperative.

Terrier3 (and I don't know what I'd do without you sometimes) . . . your knowledgeable posts and big heart are always a source of comfort to me.

And your comments about Social Security right on . . . as usual. Turn it around, raise the cap of contribution into it, as you said, and/or lower the age of benefits for the very rich. That would be the way to keep it going for many, many generations. They can make it happen if they want to.

[circles]

I am 72....our family has a history of dying by age 74...so it does give me pause when I think about it...so I try not to...what I find sad is probably not being here to see my grandchildren marry and have children...they are young....if I dwell on these things...it brings tears to my eyes...

We just lost a family member in an accident...she was 74...her 75th birthday was only a few days away...we just never know what God has in store for us...so I enjoy each day and try not to think what might happen...

[HiLo]

I totally agree with you, O.P. I wonder if most people who make these comments have had a pretty predictable life; I can understand the young saying this. As one who has sustained early losses, I don't take my time here for granted. Maybe it was my Dad who first caused me to adopt this way of thinking because he used to say "no one knows what tomorrow will bring" (he could have been thinking of saving for an uncertain future) And by life experience, I have to say "amen".

[HiLo]

On 9/27/2014 terrier3 said:

On 9/10/2014 HiLo said:

On 9/9/2014 Tinkrbl44 said:

There's over 105,000 Americans at age 100 or more ..... and people are living longer every year.

In fact, it's plausible that anyone reading this could live to be 100.

So.......... subtract your current age from 100 .... how many years do you have left, and what do you plan to do with them?

According to what we are constantly hearing, there won't be enough of a working population to support your Social Security so better keep on saving. Each day has enough trouble of its own to think ahead to that extent.

Popular misconception, but not true. If the cap on SS contributions was raised to $200,000 a year, SS would be fully funded for MANY years. If it was eliminated, making SS taxes progressive (like income taxes are), we would never run out.

I certainly hope your speculations are true. Can you provide a site or sites I can refer to as I have never heard of what you comment? This country is so far in debt, it's hard to predict any thing that will happen in the future.

[qualitygal]

Oh, Dear Ford. Yep, it's our turn now to step up to the plate and be getting all our ducks in a row. For some, it may be to put the final touches on some prepping. It's our turn now, to set back a smidge, and enjoy for a bit. It's time to make sure who you want to have something eventually, gets written down, or even gifted to them. Or, it's time to downsize on some things. We see how fast time goes. (Some movie, I'm sure was under 10 yrs. old, turns out to be 50 yrs. old). So I'm trying to enjoy what I have each day and be thankful for it. We're blessed with pretty good health and no real problems. Can't ask for more than that, now can you? Hope all's well for you too Ford. Don't let it shake you up, it's called Life 101.

[LilacTree]

On 10/18/2014 HiLo said:

I totally agree with you, O.P. I wonder if most people who make these comments have had a pretty predictable life; I can understand the young saying this. As one who has sustained early losses, I don't take my time here for granted. Maybe it was my Dad who first caused me to adopt this way of thinking because he used to say "no one knows what tomorrow will bring". And by life experience, I have to say "amen".

I lost my beloved mom to cancer when she was just 49 so, as you say, maybe it's the early losses. As I have approached each decade of my life after that (I was just 29 when she died), I have always wondered if I would live through it. I was really shocked when I hit my 50s and was still healthy.

And I also agree with what your dad used to say. My (our family) life has taken so many turns . . . certainly not the least of which I have moved 40 times. I have to laugh when someone says to me, "where was your childhood home?" I always have to think "which one?" So I'll just say the county, or North Jersey. LOL And it never stopped when we moved to South Jersey. Even though my kids stayed in the same school system, we moved five times before they all graduated. And both they and I have moved many times since then also, although we stay in the same area. Don't ask me why, there is always a reason. And there are more moves coming up . . . I just hope not me.

As to "experiences," well . . . that would take a book!

[qualitygal]

On 9/10/2014 luvingit said: I had cancer that is in remission but not cured so it will come back. No, I do not have another 40 years. How do I deal with it? My outlook: this us the last segment of my life and I'm going to enjoy it. I'm not going to worry about stuff, just make every day enjoyable. I am also making peace with fatality of life.

Good luck to you, strength to you, and good health as long as possible. Great attitude.

[kingtut]

At my age in the low 80s I realize that there is a very good chance I will never see any of my family again -- never married so have no kids -- my brother lives about 200 miles away and does not like to travel this far and I no longer drive. I do have a niece who also lives near my brother, but they have their own lives -- although I think she loves me more than he does.

Another worry is that I will die and leave my beloved cats alone -- they too are elderly and I have had them since kittens. I probably will never be able to get another pet -- would love a dog but too hard to take care of and it would live longer than me.

Dont really want to live to 100 -- its lonely being alone.

[qualitygal]

On 9/9/2014 hckynut said:

I still go by the saying I found when I was 19 years old, and my mother used to hate to hear me say:

"Man was born to live, not to prepare for life"

and John, may I add, "it's the journey, not the destination".

[LilacTree]

On 10/18/2014 qualitygal said:

Oh, Dear Ford. Yep, it's our turn now to step up to the plate and be getting all our ducks in a row. For some, it may be to put the final touches on some prepping. It's our turn now, to set back a smidge, and enjoy for a bit. It's time to make sure who you want to have something eventually, gets written down, or even gifted to them. Or, it's time to downsize on some things. We see how fast time goes. (Some movie, I'm sure was under 10 yrs. old, turns out to be 50 yrs. old). So I'm trying to enjoy what I have each day and be thankful for it. We're blessed with pretty good health and no real problems. Can't ask for more than that, now can you? Hope all's well for you too Ford. Don't let it shake you up, it's called Life 101.

Oh man, I have done all of that. I have downsized now to a 600 sq. ft. apartment. I have given all of my good furniture and many, many keepsakes to my daughters. I live in two rooms (well, actually one, since I do all of my activities in my BR). I have a will and notarized letters to my children, as well as designated representatives (two of my daughters) for my health and financial matters. Unfortunately, I do not have good health (RA and advanced osteoporosis). But my mind is still here. I would dread losing that the most. So, as you say, I am "ready." My dear sister died three years ago at 72. If anyone had ever told me who would have gone first I never would have picked her. Until her bad habits caught up with her, she was lithe and strong as a bull.