As yet another birthday approaches, I find myself wondering what life has in store for me. I’ll be turning 61 soon, an age that falls into what is commonly known as the golden-years. So far, they’ve been good but they also bring to mind the obvious – I’m not getting any younger.

I’m feeling confident (so far) about my sixties. Our kids are grown and doing well – and we are grandparents. Life is never perfect, but life is good. There’s a sense of stability and, dare I say – wisdom, at my current age – that was missing when I was younger. Still, it’s easy to reminisce about the past and wonder if the best years are really behind us – or yet to come.

Most of us can recall pockets of time in our lives that were really special. The years we thrived – when life seemed to be going our way. Times of happiness, growth and optimism. Years we (might) happily consider repeating a second time around.

For me, it was college.  I attended the University of Colorado in Boulder – on a campus that was postcard worthy with brilliant blue skies and views of the Flatirons. It was a magical place for a girl from the “flatlands” who was ready to leave the familiarity of hometown behind.

I thrived during those years – meeting new friends from all over the country and loving my independence. I remember feeling melancholy for a period of time after graduation, even as I knew it was time to start living my adult life.  Those were the idyllic years that defined my younger self, yet over time, those memories began to fade.

While I reminisced about my college years, others may glorify memories of high school or yearn for the days when their children were young. For me, the decades were a mixed bag of ups and downs, highlights and hardships – in other words, just life.

In my twenties and thirties – those years when it was easy to take health and energy for granted, I remember feeling the stress of juggling a career and raising a family. It was a fun, yet chaotic time. Memories of my forties paint a picture of calmer, more settled days.  I felt as if I was getting “better” at life. That continued into my fifties – a decade that concluded last year, and one I considered to be pretty stellar.

Still, I don’t think I’d go back and repeat any of it. I’m still looking forward to what life has in store. I know there will be more aches and pains and yes, loss with each passing year – and there will be times of longing for a younger, healthier self. Those are the side effects of living a long life. And life has meaning at every age. Every experience, every relationship – adds value and richness to life.

As time seems to be speeding up, I try to drink in every experience, every joy and every sorrow. To really live, is to live fully in the present –  knowing that the best may still be yet to come.

Readers answered the question: “If you could go back in time to relive any decade or age range, when would it be and why?” In their own words:

Scott Reichard: “I have had a great life from birth till about age 58 when out of nowhere all the little new health surprises began to appear – fortunately the grandkids started arriving by age 60 to make up for the variety of body pains. So thankfully God’s always got a plan!”

Nancy Dankle: “I think I’d have to say the 80’s. Just finishing College- the best years of life, got married, saw lots of great music and did lots of dancing.”

Peter Tomaras: “The 1950s. Lived a full year in Greece. Amazing experiences. Fell in love hard. Got married. NCAA Championship Fencing Team. Graduated. Got Commissioned. Served my country. Parents created family business. I mean… on and on. But then I’ve lived 90 blessed years.”

Dan Sparks: “I am enjoying the “Golden Years” the best. Good friends for the right reasons; a solid long-term marriage; a productive career to look back on; the nicest home I have ever lived in; my relationship with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; no money worries; actuaries that take me out for another 25 years. Life is at its best now – and I understand it better than I have in my entire life.”

Dave Barr: “1969 – 1973. Would do it all again in a heartbeat. Would do it smarter this time though. It was a great time to be alive. Different planet. But now is not too bad either!!”

Lesley Dzik: “My life has included meaningful experiences in China, Russia, Europe, Papua New Guinea, Haiti, Egypt, and several years in Central Asia, yet I would not want to relive any decade or age range, because I love the perspective, wisdom, and experience I have now, at 56, which allows me to feel confident, serene, and knowing myself and God like never before. It’s as if all the experiences of my life could be represented by a colorful and interesting puzzle piece, but at 50, I was given the box top to see how all the pieces fit together. I would not trade the understanding I have now for the incomplete picture I had when I was younger, because my youth and ignorance led me to make choices I would not want to repeat. I only wish someone had told me to take a picture in a bikini when I was in my teens and twenties, because my body composition has only gone downhill from there!”

Yvonne Redman: “My 30s – I loved being 35, everything clicked. I was an adult, I was independent, I was still young, I knew what I wanted, I was happy. I loved the 1990s into early 2000s.”

Kathy Young: “2001-2011. Three Grandchildren were born and my career had taken off big time. Life balance between family and work was good! But I like to say “now is the best time of my life.” I count my blessings every day no matter what challenges we may be facing.”

Cindy Magsamen: “1987-90’s! God blessed us with two sons. Those years certainly went by way too fast! As Trace Adkins sings: “You’re going to miss this. You’re gonna want this back” It comes back around a bit when you become a grandparent.”