I just turned 50 myself. I have arthritis in both hips and my hair is getting gray; I keep the gray hairs because I know I've earned every one, and because my husband likes me this way.

My (likely) future daughter-in-law calls me Mom, and she's 36, which does make me feel a bit old. But inside I still feel young in lots of ways, and I am determined never to stop learning and growing.

My husband and I will have been married 30 years next June and the honeymoon's not over -- the proceedings are just a little more sedate. Our philosophy is to enjoy life because we don't know what's down the road, or how long our time together will be. "Life is short, eat dessert first!" is becoming a catchphrase around here. We're spending Thanksgiving week cruising the Caribbean (hoping our favorite islands haven't been too badly damaged by the hurricanes) and catching just a little more sun before winter sets in.