Who will I be at 80? Impossible to think of, right? Until Judy Douglass imagines with and for us.
Elisa
Discover the Possibilities
By Judy Douglass
How old were you when you first recognized a bit of who you are? Five? Fifteen? Twenty-five? Older?
For me, it came in stages. From the beginning, I always wanted my own way. At eight I was writing plays for the neighbor kids and started my first (and only) novel. By high school I knew I wanted to write. Studying journalism in college, I knew I wanted to write for magazines.
When I graduated, I felt fairly confident that I would write for a magazine and eventually be the editor. I thought I would marry my college sweetheart, have a couple of children, write books, become an influencer (before that was a thing).
Some of my hopes and dreams came true and some didn’t. There were unexpected twists and turns, disappointments, joys, lessons learned. I did get married, but not to my college sweetheart. I broke my engagement to that man and went on to become the editor of a magazine for 14 years before the man I had been dating and grown to love asked me to marry him—he was so worth waiting for.
As two wonderful daughters arrived, I discovered more challenges and more joys and more of who I was. A boy we adopted when he was nine brought joy, hurdles and pain into our lives. And taught me more than I could have imagined.
I have been all over the world, spoken to thousands, and written six books as I partnered with my husband in our work and in parenting.
I’m now 80 and our three children are married and have enriched my life with their friendship, their spouses, and our ten grandchildren. My husband, Steve, and I were enjoying doing meaningful work with less pressure when the biggest surprise came. He had an unexpected reaction to a cancer treatment and died two years ago. And now, as I grieve, I am discovering again who I am and new opportunities and paths.
Some pathways become apparent early and seem to flow naturally. Some are big surprises, that often come as we reach an age of new freedom and opportunity. Like doing a podcast. When I was asked to do a podcast, I responded, “I’ve never even listened to a podcast.” But I’m now in my fourth year of encouraging and giving help and hope to weary parents.
So maybe you are asking, “Is it possible? A purposeful, meaningful, abundant life as I get older?”
Let me give you a quick reminder of some women who have found it is possible. Some are names you know; others are more like you and me:
Julia Child learned to cook at 40 and collaborated on her first French cookbook at 50.
Vera Wang first began to think about fashion design at 40—becoming the icon she is took years.
J.K. Rowling, after many disappointments, found a publisher for her first Harry Potter manuscript in her 40’s. And the rest, as they say, is history.
It’s not just famous people who discover new opportunities later in life:
Margaret Ringenberg completed a round-the-world air race at 72.
Diana Nyad swam 110 miles from Cuba to Florida at 64.
Alice Mathews went to seminary at 57 and became a professor and sought-after speaker in her 60’s.
But the possibilities don’t have to be beyond your imagination.
It could be like my friend Jane, who took up knitting in her sixties and has made many stocking caps to give and to sell.
Or Carol, who took classes to become certified as a spiritual director and is touching many lives.
Or Susan, who got a realtor license at 50 and has a thriving business.
Or Jackie, who became a travel agent and fulfilled her dream to see the world.
So, bringing along all your experiences and experience, what do you see in the days and years ahead? Are you ready to retire, take it easy? Do you have dreams from the past that have resurfaced?
Are you filled with questions: Who am I now? What will it be like with my husband around all the time? Or no longer with me? Why are my children and grands so far away?
As a single woman: Who will be my family, my community? Do I have enough money? Do I have a future?
I’m a strong believer that God created each of us for purposes—purposes that span our lives from birth to death. My prayer for you is that you will discover those purposes—with all their joys, trials, opportunities, challenges—in the days and years of your life going forward.
Excerpted from Beyond: Create a Life You Love After 50, 60, 70, and More by Judy Douglass, Mary Henderson, Carol Dodds, and Lyn Alexandar.
Judy Douglass is an author, speaker, and podcaster. For 20 years she partnered with her husband Steve to lead Campus Crusade for Christ/Cru. She is known for her realness and is one of the co-authors of Beyond: Create a Life You Love After 50, 60, 70, and More.
Connect with Judy at judydouglass.com
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