I did not have any trouble with age until I was 46 and realized it was probably half over. Then, I had a work friend, a year older say to me on my 50th birthday, "just wait until you turn 51!" which I thought was an odd thing to say but then, it being a couple years after menopause, all the aches and pains started which I had not considered, having only observed them in older people, never having felt them myself.

I had my first major medical emergency when I was 53 and then a lot of smaller ones that I "normally" would not have had and things changed in my body that take some getting use to. I understand a bit better about getting old now whereas I did not before menopause. Trying to figure out what I can "help" and what just "is" (hearing, eyesight, random aches and pains and illnesses that use to respond to treatment but don't now, etc.) it's kind of like being a teenager again with one's body doing weird things.

I'm 62 this year and have good friends, family, activities, etc. but a lot has to be looking back because I've done a lot of living; being retired it's not like I am looking forward to jobs, starting families, buying a house, establishing a home, "new" interests (gotten a college degree and gone to grad school in the last 5 years) or ever feeling completely "well" and getting good sleep consistently again? I walk fine but you won't catch me running any marathons, even supposing I wanted to. I truly understand a lot more than I can do these days