Just about the time you have gotten used to entering a new decade with a five before a zero, a letter comes in the mail.

It’s not a letter that you have requested or even one that you want to see. You walk out to the mailbox and there it is.

Your invitation to join AARP has arrived.

Now for the few of you who may not know what that acronym stands for, it is the American Association of Retired Persons. Wikipedia offers this definition: “a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization for people age 50 and over … dedicated to enhancing quality of life for all as we age,” which “provides a wide range of unique benefits, special products, and services for our members.”

Now all of that sounds well and good, that they want to enhance your life, but couldn’t they wait just a little longer? I am not speaking for myself, but many people really struggle with this time in life.

They may spend much of their time worrying about what they may have missed in life, and the best part of it has passed them by. I will admit when the topic of age comes up the first time I said I was 50, it took a little longer for the words to leave my mouth.

For some strange reason 49 seems so much easier to admit to than 50. But after all, it is just another number and I personally hope to keep flipping the pages on the calendar and add even more digits to the front of that zero.

So, I am going to fill out that form and join the membership. They even promise me that the representatives in Washington and all 50 states are fighting age discrimination, protecting pension rights and Social Security and Medicare.

Of all reasons that should compel anyone to send in the form along with their $16, you will also receive a free travel bag just for sending in your membership. I guess AARP thinks you will be traveling more at this advanced age.

So most of us will survive this time in our lives and move on just as with any other year that has passed by. After all, many before us have received that letter and continued to lead happy, productive lives. We are not alone friends, family members, and even those we work with have either reached this milestone or will eventually.

I am blessed to have reached that age and I am willing to accept any discounts, memberships, or even travel bags anyone wants to send. Just send them my way.

Randy Garrison is the publisher of the Hartselle Enquirer.