Just a few moments before twilight this morning, I woke up and wondered why. Did something that needed my attention pull me from sleep?

I listened for any unusual sound, only hearing what the walls, floors, and ceilings take for granted. Off in the kitchen, the refrigerator’s motor hummed to the waterpipes and got a shushed response.

Nothing there to warrant a wakeup call.

In the darkness I thought and thought. Then my subconscious whispered, “What about that birthday a couple of weeks ago? Remember? You celebrated, but did you truly come to terms with its significance?”

So, that was it. I was haunted by aging.

I left the bed and stumbled through our hallway and into the kitchen for coffee—the caffeinated kind that can call the mind to full attention. Then in the sunroom, I sipped the brew and looked through the big windows. There was only a hint of sun reporting for daytime duty. Yet that old sun was rising just like me.

Natural light began to float into the room, and my heart was filled with joy. What a privilege to welcome another day of life—especially for a man my age!

That birthday in mid-September was the palindrome year in my seventh decade. It had put me beyond the current average life span of a US male. Yep, I'm entering into my bonus years.

Certainly, that was worth a pause in solitude.

Rather than thinking about morning meds or breakfast, I reflected on the last months when I was still a young man of 76.

We are believers in preventive medicine at our house. Just like I take my vehicle to its dealership service department for routine maintenance, I also take my body to medical offices for routine care. It’s good to get a tune up.

We’re intentional about eating and exercising in ways to promote a successful entrance into these bonus years. We’re also intentional in pursuing activities that are good for the mind. We’re diligent to keep up with recommended vaccinations.

So far, so good.

In addition to my last visit for my annual wellness check, I’ve also had routine checkups with other doctors and nurses in recent months. I’ve been examined and I’ve submitted to a variety of tests with a cardiologist, a dermatologist, a gastroenterologist, and other health care providers.

The older man I am today knows far more than my younger version ever knew about his heart, colon, kidneys, thyroid, eyes, teeth, and bone density.

So far, so good.

This morning I thought about what several doctors recently told me, “You’re looking good for a man your age.” Remembering that repeated remark (even with the qualifier, “for a man your age”) was encouraging. This awareness helped me come to terms with that birthday.

Finally, when the sun was fully stationed at its post in the sky, my wife came into the light and greeted me. She didn’t exactly say anything about me looking good for a man my age, but I hoped that’s what she was thinking.