70+ - The END or the BEGINNING?

We just came back from my wife's 50th nursing school graduation reunion. That would mean most are just at 70 or so years old.

A small, very close, class of about 25, of whom about 15-18 came to the reunion.

Some folks were into adventures, doing new things, challenging themselves.

Others were looking at "retirement homes" where you pay a bundle up front and they feed you and you get to go in the van with others to "outings" and other "great" things. You know - coat and tie in the dining room (the one they are looking at has four different dining rooms, each with a different menu), etc. Bridge with the other old folks. An occasional "cruise," sitting on the veranda.

One didn't come but wrote a letter indicating that they were just about out of things to do in life, and they were arranging their affairs, etc. She has stopped volunteering, stopped quilting, and made the statement that, "Her mom died at 90, and they guessed they would be the next to die."

Will (was?) your 70+ be "The End" or "The Beginning?"

How about people you know?

Some of your parents are 70+ - are they "ending" or "beginning?"