Recently, a few of my friends celebrated their 80th Birthday anniversaries. It was a very special occasion where family and friends came for an open house to celebrate life together. It is quite interesting that when I taught gerontology classes that I call the 80s the "lively 80s." An essay entitled, "Life begins at 80" supports those warm thoughts.

Life begins at 80. I have good news for you. The first 80 years are the hardest, the second 80 are a succession of birthday parties. Once you reach 80, everyone wants to carry your baggage and help you up the steps. If you forget your name, or anybody else's name, or an appointment, or your own telephone number, or promise to be three places at the same time, or can't remember how many grandchildren you have... You need only explain that you are 80. Being 80 is a lot better than being 70. At 70, people are mad at you for everything. At 80 you have a perfect excuse no matter what you do. If you act foolishly, it's your second childhood. Everybody is looking for symptoms of softening of the brain. Being 70 is no fun at all. At that age, they expect you to retire to a house in Florida and complain about your arthritis and you ask everybody to stop mumbling because you can't understand them. Actually, your hearing is about 50% gone. If you survive until you are 80, everybody is surprised that you are still alive. They treat you with respect just for having lived so long. Actually, they seem surprised that you can walk and talk sensible. So please, folks, try to make it to 80 - it's the best time of life. People forgive you for anything. If you ask me, life begins at 80. This essay was written by Frank Lauback.

And so the birthday parties go on and on to the age of the nifty 90s. In recent weeks, and in my travels I've met many golden ages in the nifty 90s who appeared to be in the sparkling 70s. Next column will tell you a bit about those nifty 90s. Let's celebrate life every day of our lives!

Warm Thoughts from the Little Home on the Prairie Over a Cup of Tea by Luetta G Werner

Published in the Marion Record, October 15th, 1998.

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Till next time,

Trina