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Now I’m 65

94 Comments

Last week, I turned sixty five. In the United States, sixty five is a milestone event. At last, I can go on Medicare, a federal health insurance program, and not have to worry about where I will get affordable health insurance. (Alas, over the years, it has been a big worry.)

As with all milestone events, there came a certain amount of reflection when I turned sixty five. Here is what I wrote on Facebook: “Twelve years ago, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I was fifty three, and I remember wondering if I would make it to my sixtieth birthday. Turns out I was lucky. My cancer was not aggressive and while I needed radiation, I did not need chemo. And here I am, at sixty five. Very, very grateful.”

Yes, very grateful indeed.

There will be a family celebration this weekend for me and for Clif, who also has a September birthday.

But on my actual birthday—a bright, clear, windy September day—my friend Dawna came over and  brought me this sweet assortment of goodies.

The lavender and basil came from her own garden, she made the card, and the jam and honey are local.

Wowsah! Who could ask for anything more?

Many, many thanks, Dawna!

 

 

94 thoughts on “Now I’m 65”

  3. Sixty five is a liberating age to be: here it is the mandatory retirement age for many jobs, although I had to retire at sixty three. I look forward to reading about your joint birthday celebration 🙂

  8. Happy 65 and how blessed you are to still be here
    We knew a lady named Melanie who was diagnosed in august and died the following June
    And so another birthday is a huge celebration every year
    And 65 is a special ☀️💛

  10. Happy Birthday, Laurie. I’m going to hit that magical Medicare age rather soon. And I’m so happy to hear that you’re a survivor and have many years ahead of you. Wonderful gifts. And here’s to another decade and beyond. ❤

  13. Happy Birthday! I wish I had just turned 65. 🙂 Everything is relative, and decent health trumps the actual number every time. Glad it helps with the medical insurance piece. It’s always good to have a special friend, and I hope your celebration is a fun one.

  15. Happy 65th birthday, Laurie, and many more to come! And congratulations on having survived cancer. My experience with it was also 12 years ago. Wishing Clif a happy birthday, too!

    Medicare is a wonderful thing, and I am glad you have that coverage now. If only the politicians would grant Medicare to all!

    Sending our best to you, Clif and little Miss Watson ❤️ 🙂 🐱 🙂 ❤️

  16. A big congratulations on turning 65 and indeed, what a relief to be able to access Medicare. I hope you enjoy your birthday celebration with your family on the weekend… I have really enjoyed my 60s and I’m sure you will enjoy the rest of yours! 👏👏👌

  19. Happy 65th, Laurie! I forgot that you precede me by a little over a month. It is a big milestone, for sure. Not a particularly welcome vantage point, but it does have its perks. 😉 We’ll just focus on those! ❤

  20. Looking back at the decade since I turned 65, things have just gotten better. I wish the same for you, along with a heap of happy birthday wishes! You had a proper celebration!

  22. Happy birthday, Laurie. I’m glad you had a joyful day. Your friend’s card and gifts are delightful.

    I didn’t know you had breast cancer in your fifties. I’m glad to hear you had a less invasive tumor and that you’ve reached your 65-year-old milestone. It must have been scary to receive that diagnosis at that age. I turn 63 next month, so I’m not too far behind you. Just imagine living in a country with a real safety net? Maybe one day…

    1. Reading Laurie’s post and your comment is a reminder of how lucky I am to live in a country that does have a “real safety net”. Here in the UK we spend a lot of time complaining about the quality of our National Health Service (it’s a constant hot political topic), but the reality is that it’s pretty good and always here for us. When I reflect on it, as I’m doing right now, I’m truly grateful for the healthcare service here.

      2. It’s a great system, and it dismays me sometimes to hear some of my fellow Brits moaning about it…they really don’t seem to appreciate how blessed we are.

    2. Many thanks! Yes, it was a scary time, but I was lucky to have such a treatable cancer. I can imagine living in a country with a real safety net. It is one of my dreams. I’m not sure it will happen in my lifetime, but I live in hope.

  23. Belated birthday felicitations, Laurie. Another milestone reached…don’t they seem to come around quicker than ever as the years roll by? Hope you have a great year, and that the new book is published to rave reviews!

    1. Thanks so very much! And, yes, the birthdays seem to whizz right by. When I was young, I remember feeling how long it took to go from one birthday to another.

      1. The older I get the more I feel that youth is wasted on the young! Oh, for those carefree days when my parents shielded me from every harm and anxiety, and when I didn’t wake up every morning wondering which part of me will ache the most today!

  28. Happy Birthday, Laurie! I have a September B-day, too, and I’ve always found it a great month for a birthday. Still summer, of course, but Fall is on its way (and that’s my favorite season!) Nice gift you received — a very thoughtful friend you have!

  35. I was thinking of you & Clif this morning as I came in from my walk, wondering how my fellow Septemberites were doing and how you were celebrating.

    And now I visit your Birthday post to wish you a belated hatch day! Wishing you a joyous family celebration this weekend!

    You and I are the lucky ones – grateful to have journeyed beyond what could have been an ending to our stories. I am so glad to be able to wish you a fantabulous year ahead, filled with the fragrance of beautiful blooms, hugs of loved ones & adventure of discovery!

  38. A rather belated ‘Happy Birthday!’ I hope you had a wonderful celebration. Health Insurance must be such a worry in your country. For all its faults the NHS is a great blessing for me. I hope you enjoy robust good health for the rest of a long and happy life and never need to trouble medicare!

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  41. Happy Birthday dear Laurie! I am 65 also. I haven’t been posting because my beloved husband, Tom, has died from his cancer. Such a long awful scary, miserable summer! He died on August 28. It has been very hard to be all alone in our home this past month and face retirement by myself. I have been totally inconsolable. HoweverI am sending you love and I am so glad you are doing well. Have fun celebrating YOU!

    1. Betsy, I have been thinking of you and am so very sorry to learn about your husband’s death. How terrible it must be for you to face retirement by yourself. And how we grieve when someone we love dies. Thank you for taking the time to send me love.

  43. Happy Birthday, Laurie. I love my 60s — and I love how you are “owning” yours. BC definitely adds a helping of gratitude for each year that follows. And you’ve got lots coming!

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