We boomers are indeed fortunate because, as Suzanne writes, for our mothers and grandmothers, the “change of life” meant their lives stopped changing. As their nests emptied so did much of their focus and purpose. Without careers and with limited options and outlets, many of them became ladies who lunch, played tennis or bridge, or waited anxiously to become grandmothers. Maintaining home and hearth remained their primary responsibility and, with fewer mouths to feed, their job description became marginalized.

Ours, however, is a different generation. The women’s movement, the trailblazing spirit of the baby boomers, and the current economic realities have combined to keep us actively engaged in life way past our half-century birthdays. Traditional retirement is a thing of the past as the “forever-young” mindset of the boomers drives us to continue to contribute, interact, and break social barriers.

With our passion and energy still intact, the popular phrase for women our age has become “fifty is the new thirty.” But Suzanne buckles at that one! As she wrote: “That is not it at all. I have discovered that most women in Second Adulthood are very happy being where they are—they don’t want to go back to any of their earlier stages or decades… The assumption is that youth—or at least younger—is the ideal state and that given a choice, no woman in her right mind would relinquish it. I have found the opposite to be true.”

I, too, have found the opposite to be true and I bet you have as well. The years of fifty and beyond present us with many gifts: a newly found freedom to speak our minds and renounce much of our reflexive need to please; a greater sense of strength, mastery, and the ability to roll with the punches; and the drive towards authenticity and becoming the magnificently ripe and wise women we know ourselves to be.

Fifty also brings with it life lessons. Suzanne has highlighted ten of them in her book Fifty is the New Fifty and I’ve had the pleasure of interviewing her about all ten. Please take the brief fifteen minutes to listen to the final broadcast in our series and then check back to listen to each and every one. The lessons are powerful and profound and will guide you well through this amazing time in your life. In fact, you too, will likely start taking umbrage when someone smugly states, “fifty is the new thirty.”

No—it’s not! It’s far from that. Fifty is the brand new, remarkably fertile, ripe, robust, and exceedingly feisty FIFTY!

I used to subscribe to fashion magazines but, now that I’m older, I no longer do. However, whenever I have a hair appointment, you’ll find me leafing through the glossy renderings of style and chic that lay on the table at the hair salon. (Forget the chic—I’m just praying that my own style doesn’t look too dated.) What literally leaps off the pages of these trend-setting pieces, is that almost every model has either a bored or a haughty look on her face. It’s almost as if you can’t be young and fashionable and happy all at the same time.

My Talbots moment really set me to thinking that age has another advantage—we get to have fun and show it! Can you imagine a fifty-year-old model looking haughty or bored? It just wouldn’t fit with our demographic description. Studies show that women tend to be the happiest in the years past fifty. We come into our own like never before and that can’t help but put a smile on your face.

So next time you peruse a fashion magazine aimed at young women, give a little prayer of thanks that you no longer need to look like they do. Yes, they may be lithe and thin. Yes, their skin may be smooth and supple. And, yes, they probably have perfectly manicured nails and hair. But, for the life of me, why do they have to look so sour? Just wait ‘til these models hit fifty—no doubt about it—that’ll bring a smile to their face!

I was one of those women who dreaded turning fifty. For months prior to that intimidating birthday, I was busy girding my loins for the formidable assault to my vanity and pride. There was absolutely no way I could kid myself and claim to be “forever young” any longer. I was, to say the very least, upset.

But, destiny has a way of taking its own course and fate stepped into my life big time. In truth, my fiftieth birthday was totally different from anything I could have imagined. As I had wanted to ignore the date, I hadn’t planned any celebrations. That turned out to be a good thing because I was totally occupied with other matters.

My mother, who had been ill for many years, died three days before my birthday. So, rather than blowing out candles, I was planning her funeral. Actually, the timing was somewhat comforting. Both events, huge in my life, coincided in a way that seemed to soften the blow of each.

Although I missed her terribly, my mother had been so sick that I was relieved she was no longer in pain. And, I didn’t give any thoughts to my wrinkles, my growing waistline, or any other worrisome cares that this particular birthday engenders.

Many years have passed since that day. (I’m not going to tell you how many—at least not in my first blog!) And, I have come to treasure my fifties. Yes, I’ve suffered through some significant and painful losses but I’ve also experienced great joy and celebration. I truly feel that I’ve come into myself and am more confident and self-possessed than ever before. I like being an ornery old broad and I’m stretching myself, taking on risks, and speaking my truth. In fact, I’m enjoying the prime of my life in deeply satisfying ways I could never have known as a younger woman.

But, I’m interested in your stories of marking your half-century birthdays and beyond. Did you celebrate like there was no tomorrow? Did you reflect upon the past and your lost youth? Do you feel like you have grown and changed significantly since your younger years?

Please share your experiences and express your thoughts on the matter of all things aging. Tell us a bit about yourself and the challenges and joys you’ve known living on the feisty side of fifty.