I'm in love. Head over heels, didn't know it could be so wonderful in love. My new granddaughter has stolen my heart, and being a grandmother exceeds my quite high expectations. I know some people wince at the thought of being called "grandmother" because it makes them feel old. Not me. I feel like being "Grandma" is one of the best parts of living in the second half of life.

In the past few months, I have had a number of "second half of life" moments. In May I retired after thirty-three years as a college counselor, and this fall we sold the home we built twenty-two years ago. We are spending the winter in Florida, and when we come back in the spring we are going to downsize to a condo one-third the size of our home.

In the midst of all these events that happen when we are older, I had an experience that made me feel like a student again. I took a test to get an additional life coach certification. As I waited with two young men at the testing center, I experienced the anxiety I felt as a college student taking a high-stakes test. After it was over and I learned I had met all of the requirements for the certification, I felt the exhilaration of accomplishment and the relief of "passing the test."

Savoring this moment reminded me that my retirement will be very different from my parents' and life-long learning will be an important component. I may experience other anxiety-producing moments, but I feel confident that these moments will move me toward creating the life I want.

WHAT WE KNOW

Marc Freedman, retirement expert and author of The Big Shift, explains that we are in the midst of a new period between what used to be retirement age and what we think of as old age. Because we are living longer, healthier lives, it isn't sustainable or desirable to spend our post-employment years in total leisure.

And the exciting part of this shift is the opportunity for a new life chapter, an opportunity to pursue a dream, learn something new, live with purpose and give back.

According to Freedman, people who successfully make this transition take an experimental approach. They try on different roles. It's important to remember that people also may need some rest before embarking on this next chapter.

WHAT WE CAN DO

As you think about creating your perfect retirement life, answer the following questions.