I’ll be 79 this month and I haven’t felt this good in years. It’s great news, of course, but it also raises a question: why does one person thrive into old age while another’s life is cut short?

I believe the mind plays an important role in physical health.

I’ve been married for 28 years, a second chance at love I found at 50, when I was finally wise enough to choose the right partner. My husband is thoughtful, intelligent, kind and caring. He adores me. What more could a girl want?

I live in a beautiful part of the world. The mountains give me strength; the rivers bring peace.
I don’t feel threatened by crime, but at 78, I’ve learned not to tempt fate.

Spiritually, I follow my own path. Organized religion has never appealed to me, but there is freedom in shaping your own values and beliefs. That independence has given me comfort and clarity.

I love music—all kinds. My mother filled our home with songs from Broadway musicals. She sang in a choir—not a powerful voice, but she could carry a tune. 

Later, I fell in love with rock and roll, the Beatles and the Eagles. In Telluride, where I lived for two decades, I hosted a weekly show on the community radio station, where I could play anything I wanted and lose myself in the music.

Although my only daughter lives a thousand miles away, she visits each year with my two grandchildren. They are everything proud grandmothers say about their grandchildren and more.

I used to ski and cycle, but these days my balance is not what it once was. Biking has fallen away, though I still enjoy quieter pleasures, like working crossword puzzles.

Writing has always been my creative outlet. I’ve spent decades writing for newspapers and magazines, mostly interviews with fascinating people. Listening to their stories has enriched my understanding of the world and myself. 

For over 15 years, I published my own magazine, which connected me to people across my home town.

I’ve also tried drawing and painting, but I discovered I don’t have the patience for either. Still, I love the art on my walls and deeply admire those who create it.

Retirement took some adjustment. I explored volunteering, but it took time to find where I fit. 

I have never been driven by money. In Telluride’s early days, I worked as a real estate broker and earned substantial commissions, but money did not make me happy. What it did do was make it possible for me to travel the world — to Europe, Mexico and the Caribbean. Travel, like writing, broadened my perspective and deepened my understanding of both myself and others.

Now, at nearly 79, I can say life has been rich and rewarding, and I consider myself fortunate. Best of all, I still feel there is much to look forward to.