My mother has reached 60 years old. Everyone has mixed feeling when they enter a new decade, but turning 60 in particular feels more significant. When people talked about turning 60 in the past, it conjured up images of elderly grandparents wearing traditional clothing at large gatherings. But times have changed, and that kind of old image is a thing of the past.
There is a saying that 'life begins at 60'. I never really identified with that sentence before, but it hits home now that my parents are that age. They can't stop their appearance from changing as they get on in years. But I hope they take it in stride and remain strong and healthy as they enjoy their old age.
conjure sth up - to make a picture or idea appear in someone's mind
take sth in stride - to deal with a problem or difficulty calmly and not to allow it to influence what you are doing
- I try to set major goals when I enter a new decade. / Entering a new decade doesn't feel exciting anymore.
- Some oler people seem to deny that times have changed.
- I take it in stride even when they make mistakes.
1: What did you do over the weekend?
2: It was my mother's 60th birthday, so we threw a party for her.
1: Oh, really?
2: Yes. We had a family get-together for the first time in a while.
1: That's great!
2: 60 felt ancient in the past, but it doesn't feel that way anymore.