It seems that "retirement" these days is less about coffee mornings and rounds of golf and more about child-minding, dog-sitting, and "giving something back" by "volunteering".
What in Roman times were the duties of slaves are now the daily occupations of the active elderly.
Some recent advice for navigating later life is to carry on working, though with shorter hours and less responsibility.
But already, in the Bible, Moses isn't signing off 'til he's a (still vigorous) 120, and tough old Caleb is still looking for a fight at the grand age of 85.
Happy are those who have the wealth and good health to make such choices.
But what about the many who suffer long years of poverty, loneliness and chronic illness?
As I turn eighty this week, I ponder how best to spend my God-given overtime.
My first instinct is to be grateful for every moment, because it's wonderful to be alive.
My second is to receive testing circumstances as an adventure of faith: to love, serve or endure patiently.
Thirdly, I want to counter self-absorption by being open to everything and everyone each new day brings.
Fourthly, to stop looking for praise for myself and instead give glory to God who gives us everything in the first place and without whom we wouldn't exist.
And, okay, fifthly (and thank you for the prompt) to give proper attention to becoming less self-righteous and opinionated!
And you?
Andrew Knowles, St George’s Church, Kendal
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