As we’re cruising through life at either a leisurely pace or breakneck speed, suddenly ahead we spot a sign. Whether it’s so far in the distance we must strain to see it clearly, or uncomfortably close, most of us initially react with horror! THE LAST EXIT ON THE 40’S FREEWAY is usually greeted with disbelief, which quickly turns to total dismay……50!? No, we can’t possibly be 50 already. We do not want to go there. We’ve heard it’s a place filled with stretch marks and cellulite, broken promises and unfulfilled dreams that we’re “too old” to achieve. We’ve been told it’s also, uncomfortably close to the end. The worst threat of all is that it’s allegedly a time when everything on our bodies falls apart, stops working, and the wheels come off our lives. And, the euphemisms, which are intended to put a tolerable spin on the situation are, let’s be honest now, simply doublespeak that don’t fool anyone!

The older the violin, the sweeter the music? Some of us are tone deaf! The third age? Others of us feel like we were sleepwalking through the first and second and then suddenly awakened with a jolt (supposedly the T-shirt for that frame of mind is the one that states, “Hill, what hill, I didn’t see any hill?”) Women are like fine wine-vintage is better? If you are not familiar with coal mining, you may be unaware of what was once a common practice. It happens to be especially apropos in this situation. In the early part of the 20th Century, miners would take canaries below ground with them. When the canary stopped singing, they knew the air was too toxic to breathe. They would immediately stop and search for a different, safe direction. Those who are further along in their journey, and have exited the 40’s freeway, and lived to tell the story are reporting surprisingly exciting news. These canaries are singing their hearts out! Furthermore, they’re urging every woman to proceed without so much caution, to take more risks, have more fun, and celebrate themselves and feel FINE about 50!

(Find Interesting New Experiences). In fact, ditch the spare tire and replace it with the following options for approaching the LAST EXIT ON THE 40’s freeway with enthusiasm. Yesterday's senior citizens are today's activists, adventurers, entrepreneurs, innovators, and women living fuller, richer lives than at any other time! Just in the past decade, we've learned about 60 something women trekking through the Himalayas, 70something women learning to ski dive, and 80 or 90something women publishing their first books. As recently as a decade ago, women at those ages were often thought of as elderly. No longer! The new millennium ushered in a phenomenal number of women past 60 who "push the envelope," "think outside the box" and they've turned all those "old" paradigms about "old" upside down and inside out! They are "taking names" but "taking no prisoners!" Better applaud them--or get out of their way! The 50’s Freeway? Why, that’s the place where you rev up the engines and really get ready to roll. We’ve devised some euphemisms of our own. Consider them rest stops for those occasions when you want to catch your breath, check your road map, and chose a direction for the day you find yourself exiting 40 and hitting your stride!

MATURE AUDIENCE (Not X-rated, nor R-rated--but top rated women!)

BEST TIMES (Women who have paid their dues, done their duty and are now ready to roll out the best times in their lives!)

FULL LIFE (Women who have endured "empty" promises, "empty" suits and "empty" heads--now ready to pursue life at it's fullest and richest!)

WORLD'S BEST (Women who are demonstrating that they are the world's best because they are "aged to perfection!")

EASY LIVING (Women who know they can "kick back" or "kick box" and do whatever they like with the greatest of ease!)

PRIME TIMES (Women who have the "choicest" seats in the house--or on the beach or anyplace else they want to be--proving that "aged to perfection" is life at it's prime!)

SENIORITY COUNTS (Regardless of age--whether it begins with a 6, 7, 8 or even 9, women can count on their time that's finally come--and begin their best times.)

SENIORITY (We've survived this long--so, we can't be wrong when we declare that our seniority has it's perks...lots of them!)

SOS (SATISFYING OUR SELVES)

TOP SPEED (Who says women have to "slow down" when we reach a certain age? We can "ditch" the "fast lane" but we can pursue our dreams at top speed!)

Drop us a postcard along the way-if you have time, and if you don’t, the 50’s Freeway is the place where you learn that you no longer need to apologize for who you are and what you do-you celebrate yourself!

“I have enjoyed greatly the second blooming that comes when you finish the life of the emotions and of personal relations; and suddenly find-at the age of fifty, say-that a whole new life has opened before, you, filled with things you can think about, study, or read about….It is as if a fresh sap of ideas and thoughts was rising in you.” Agatha Christie (An Autobiography, 1977)