Last week I happened to know two individuals who turned 50 years old, and another who turned 55. While they were all taking it in stride, we all know people who have not been so accepting of their newfound maturity.
Like so many others, I might have been one of those people who got depressed when I turned 40. But around age 35. I took to heart something another person told me. Age is a gift.
Life expectancy in the U.S. is around age 80. Having said that, who doesn't know dozens and dozens of people who don't make it to 80, or 40, or even 20.
Just this weekend Des Moines held its annual Race For The Cure event, to raise money for the prevention and treatment of breast cancer. If you're feeling bad about aging, just go to one of those sometime.
I've participated in Race For The Cure many times, and it's humbling to think how many young women have lost their lives prematurely to breast cancer. Add to those all of the other people who die young from other illnesses or injuries, and complaining about one's age is exposed as a very stupid thing to do.
The next time you hear someone lamenting about their birthday/age, tell them that age is a gift. Then tell them to stop bitching about it.
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