It ain’t the rollicking sound of the Stones, the roar of the Harley between your legs, or the collapse of the national treasury under the weight of our savings.  It’s the sound of 75 million of us crashing through the barrier to points unknown   Let’s face it, men.  It’s a going problem.  We’re perched on the launching pad, counting down to planetary exit.   No matter how much the drug companies tell you it’s a growing problem, it’s a going problem.  Sure, there are isolated growing problems: the occasional swelling organs and malignancies, but the real concern for all of us (men and women alike) is the years accumulating behind us like jet stream vapor.  The truth is there are a lot fewer nights to piss away than there used to be!   Let’s make the most of them. We made Rock n’ Roll, elevated protest to an art form, perfected the concept of “life -style,” and quintupled the nation debt.  Now, it’s time for the big one. Let’s bring death out of the closet like we did gays, and re-fashion the culture’s perspective on it.  We may have a going problem but we don’t have to go quietly. Let’s get boomin’!   

Right on! VmcCann right on!

Take it for what its worth, but death may be the greatest adventure to be lived... 

the truth of the matter is that there are far worse things than death. for example, being chronically illwith condition worsening, then winding up in an icu on a ventilator with a tube down your throat. developing bedsores that then become infected. then winding up with that infection spteading to blood and organs. going on like this for a few months, then finally...death. so welcomed at that point to self family and friends. there are many books written about death. one that comes to mind is "On Death and Dying" by Elizabeth Koobler Ross. Another "Life after Death", author escapes my memory right now. Sometimes we know the end is near and sometimes we just wake up dead. the best thing to do is live life like it could be your last day around. also, dont sweat the small stuff-most of it is. do not allow negativity in your life-it will make you sick. be kind to others. And SMILE! smiling is contagious and makes us and others feel good!  jennie

That's exactly the point: an inescapable part of life that may very well be the most exciting. However we love in a culture terrified by the prospect. Perhaps we should make a little more noise.

Well---surely the boomers have never gone QUIETLY into anything!   We stuck our noses in, assessed the situation, argued all the points (right or wrong), stood on our podiums and held our ground.  Damn thing about that DEATH thing is, we have seen it in family and freiands, clearly know we aren't going to escape it...but still don't seem to have the heart to really dig in and do some investigation.   This has been haunting me lately, and I realize in order to face it with any kind of sanity...I really need to talk about it and try to wrap my brain and heart around it more.  I did estate planning years ago, working with the senior popultaion.   It hit me hard, all those funerals...all thos blatant realties.  Me the empathy queen was absorbing all the hurt and all the pain.   I actually needed to back away from the profession for a while, and now realize that perhaps now being 57 (not far from the ages I had dealt with back them) it was time for me to find some kind of cornerstone of understanding and feeling more comfortable with the enevitabilities we all face.  Funny how things happen ---I was about to go back into the field, and was just yesterday offered a postion in guess what??   ELDER CARE Placement!   Seems that destiny is somehow forcing my hand to realities. 

Trick here is, while I face those facts...I want to find some kind of calm in the thoughts, rather than just the angst.  Andddddd, while I am muddling thru this, and all the other aging messes we are all dealing with, I have full intentions of leaning more SALSA steps,  keeping myself looking as jazzed as I posibly can, putting the top down on my miata, flirting outragously when I am in the mood, making new and like minded (or is that off the wall) friends, and still keeping all doors open for new interests, challanges and love!!!       In the meantime, would someone pour me a nice flute of wine, and hand me a couple excedrine!!!   I think I just gave myself a headache!

Sister,sounds to me like you've got the right idea.  Not being able to see the end of the road is no good reason for slowing down.