She's probably done most of the things you expect a woman her age to have done: married and divorced; three children; variety of jobs over the years including a couple of home-based businesses and, finally, a pretty good career; gave up that career (and home and life) to move and take care of a dementing mother; adult daughter moved back home with a baby; financial struggles; sucker-punched by the post-2007 economy… waa, waa, waa – you probably tell a similar story (or worse).
The reason she tells you this is not for sympathy… but to let you know she understands this thing called ‘Retirement’ is new - there aren’t many real role models – parents were probably old by this age – but the Boomer generation can be role models for future generations!