62. 6+2=8. EIGHT THINGS ABOUT BEING 62

62. 6+2. 6+2=8 So here are 8 things that are good about being 62!



1. Senior discounts! I now qualify for the Lifetime membership pass for the National Parks, the cafeteria, and movie ticket discounts, to name just a few!



2. Social Security eligibility. Even though I won’t draw on it for a while, at least I know I can.



3. State Retirement. At 62, I am now eligible to draw my state retirement. Same as social security, it will be a while before I draw on it but it’s nice to know it is there.



4. Sleep. If I want to go to bed, say 8:30 or 9:00 p.m., I don’t have to apologize to anyone. I can just say, "I’m 62 and I need my rest!"



5. Baby Boomer. At 62, I am proud to call myself a Baby Boomer. I’ve seen the early days of space exploration and Captain Kangaroo; I grew up in an era of "Beverly Hillbillies" and "The Brady Bunch"; I witnessed women’s lib, free love, and the best music ever in the 1970's. "Thriller" and big hair, preppy clothes, and attitudes. "Back to the Future" and "Titanic" – those years from 1953-1993 were the years my kids and I grew up. What a freakin’ privilege!



6. Driving. At 62, if I hit a curb, make too wide a turn, drive too slow, or change lanes without a signal, I get yelled at or flipped off for being an old lady driver. But that’s okay, I am 62.



7. Legitimate complaining. At 62, I can complain about how young people act unappreciative and entitled. Back when I was young, I had to ride the bus to school, I had a curfew, I had to work for a car . . . blah, blah, blah. I am 62 and those were the good old days!



8. More stuff. At 62, I am allowed to enjoy a glass (or two) of wine, sit in the rocker on the front porch and do nothing, take a nap, fall asleep in front of the TV at 7:30, say a curse word whenever I damn well feel like it, let go of regrets and guilt, boldly profess my faith to anyone who will listen, make choices that bring me happiness as long as they don’t hurt someone else, and carry a roll of flab around my middle (which is utterly disgusting) but who cares? I am 62!



These are my 8 good things about having 62 wonderful, glorious, exciting years on this earth and I am thanking God for it all.