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Turning 69: the best is yet to come
Most people consider any age greater than 65 to be elderly, but for me, this is laughable, as I don’t look, feel, sound or behave elderly.
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Members of the Wellness Community for the Elderly and Pre-Elderly (KKLP) exercise in front of Kita Market in South Tangerang, Banten, on Aug. 4. The event sought to improve the health and wellness of the community during the pandemic. JP/Dhoni Setiawan (JP/Dhoni Setiawan)
If sex were a number, some would say it’s 69. Go figure!
1969 was an erotic year for Serge Gainsbourg, legendary French singer-songwriter, and his British romantic and creative partner Jane Birkin, who died last Sunday, July 16. They celebrated it in their 1969 song “L’Annee Erotique”.
69 also resembles the yin-yang symbol as well as the glyph for Cancer, my zodiac sign. For me, July 19 marked the beginning of my 69th year on this earth. Ta da!
Most people think any age greater than 65 is elderly, but for me, this is laughable, as I don’t look, feel, sound or behave elderly.
And I am far from unique. There are many 60, 70, 80 and even 90-year-olds who are still youthful and vibrant, like Helen Mirren, 75, Jane Fonda, 85 and Rita Moreno, who at 91, is experiencing a career renaissance.
Like Moreno, I love being older. There are many advantages that come with age, and I don’t mean getting a free bus pass on TransJakarta, but being free of the hang ups, insecurities, self-doubts, jealousies, anger and other negative emotions I had when I was younger. I am also more understanding, tolerant, forgiving, happy and wise, and have gained much better insight into myself and others.
Over the past 5 years, I have been doing an extended life review. I have had so many “aha” moments, which helped me understand certain events, including very painful and difficult ones like betrayals by loved ones and those closest to me, which however have contributed to my development, maturity and wisdom, and have liberated me from the prison of the past.
