Yesterday I was 64 and today I am 65, a significant milestone by most anyone’s definition. We marked the day with a cruise across the North Sound with some friends from CIS and dinner at our favourite, funky restaurant.

When I was young, I often thought about how it would feel to be 65. To be officially a senior citizen, a recipient of OAS, free from the challenges of work and child-rearing, just relaxing and trying my best to make my body and mind last as long as possible. Not surprisingly, that is not at all how it feels to be 65.

While I definitely do not feel old, I also most definitely do not feel young either; and I am rejoicing in the differences between the two. Seasoned by years of dealing with difficult, challenging and at times heart breaking circumstances while recognizing God’s ever-present hand; gives me the confidence that I can face whatever lies ahead without the fear and anxiety that often haunted the years when I was young. I have more confidence in the person that I am, in the gifts I have been given and the skills that I have developed and I have less need to measure up to the imagined or real expectations of others.

Yet I still enjoy and am no less interested in, the same things that I did as a young person. Plus, those things are enhanced by my own grown children, the spouses they have chosen and the wonderful grandchildren that we love so dearly. I am no less adventuresome, am still having fun and have the freedom, education and finances to choose my activities. I had a full and rewarding career in Nursing, eight amazing years to serve in SE Asia and finally the opportunity to pursue the education that had repeatedly been set aside in order to meet more urgent needs.

Most of all, I have the joy of sharing this journey with the love of my life; a faithful husband who loves the Lord and has supported and encouraged me every step of the way. He has a passion for excellence and a hunger for learning and his commitment to, and compassion for, those he serves have spurred me on to be that best that I can be.

I appreciate each day more fully, celebrate each small pleasure and experience more deeply and I am exceedingly grateful for each person in my life. I am fortunate to be in good health and the loss of health, even the lives of many friends, reminds me of just how blessed I am to still be able to speak into the lives of others. I have learned that every day is precious, love is a profound and sacred gift, prayer changes things, gratitude corrects perspective, being right is not always the most important thing. I know there is no point in judging others because they are often just trying to do the best they can, forgiveness and generosity are healing for me as much as for the other and dancing is good for the body and the soul. I know there are many more things left that I would like to do.