The Joyful Years

 There’s a quote I once heard that stuck with me more than any compliment, motivational poster, or social media meme:

“Old age is a privilege denied to many.”

Let that sink in.

If you’re reading this, you’ve already accomplished something wildly underrated in today’s world: you’ve made it this far. You’re still breathing. Still here. Still trying. That alone deserves celebration, applause, and—why not—a cupcake with sprinkles.

But here’s the thing: no one throws a parade for staying alive.

There are no medals for surviving divorce, outliving loved ones, downsizing your home, learning to live with less, or adapting to a body that now makes noises when you stand up. No one hands out trophies for patience, grace, or not yelling at the bank teller who keeps asking you if you “have the app.”

So let me be the first to say it:

You are a warrior in reading glasses. A champion in slippers. A legend with laugh lines.

Congratulations.

You’re still here.