I agree with most of what you write, George. But my personal experience is that life really begins at 67, not at 50. Why 67?

- Because then I retreated. Finally, after 40 years of full-time work (as a teacher, teaching Norwegian, French and German) including 4 years as a full-time elected representative for the Teachers' Union and finally 13 years as a head of an Adult Education centre, I retired. I had gained my pension and as I was born before 1950, I can look forward to a life-long pension from which I can live well the rest of my days.

This is not the whole story, and I am well aware of that! But I am confident that if I avoid serious illnesses and accidents, I may be able to still live for many years and cultivate my primary interests and passions: Reading, writing, hiking, photography and family life with wife, children and grand-children.

Yes, George, my friend, thank you for another brilliant article to remind me of this!

I realize I have been lucky. - So far! Let us see if it lasts!