Vi,

So glad to hear that you are accepting of the aging process. Hope that my short article did not indicate that I have an attitude of "aging sucks." I don't! I just resented being thought of as retired when I'm at least 15 years away from retirement.

Also, one reason that I have a very hard time coming to terms with the passing decades is that I have been chronically sick and disabled since I was 28 years old. Therefore, there were many things that I may have wanted -- like a career, marriage, children, living on my own, financial stability -- that I was never able to achieve. These multiple losses and chronic pain and the prospect of imminent surgery looming ahead of me (my fifth major surgery!) makes it very hard for me to accept my age and stage in life.

Good to know that you have such a strong sense of self and that you're pleased with who you are. Me too basically, except for my illness.

Best, Sigrid