What is it like to be over 50 today in America? Well, as Charles Dickens wrote, it’s the best of times and the worst:

•    There has never been a time of greater possibility to reduce the deadliness of the diseases that kill us in the greatest numbers – heart disease and cancer. 
•    Yet almost two-thirds of our population are overweight, and diabetes and heart disease are rampant.
•    Genomics and stem cell research offer us the hope that immune diseases like diabetes and neurological disorders like Parkinson’s may become historical artifacts like polio.
•    Yet almost 7 million people over 65 suffer from depression, often undiagnosed.
•    For each year that we live, the probability that we will live longer increases. If you’re interested in predicting your life expectancy, check out this tool. When I took the survey it predicted that given my current lifestyle, I could expect to live until 93.
•    Yet the disabilities associated with aging often make us dependent.
•    Research indicates that the second half of our lives can be the happiest time ever. Yet more than ever the culture idolizes the young. 

So, what do these binary views of aging mean? To me it means that how we age is a choice. We can either responsibly pursue options that support our health - physical, intellectual, and emotional – or we can dwell on the dark side, numb to the gifts that age brings us. 

And speaking of options and life’s great adventure, this is my last column for Yahoo! Health. I’ve started work on another book and will be devoting myself to it full time. If you’ve enjoyed my columns and are interested in keeping in touch with me, please visit me at AnneKreamer.com.

I wish all of you who have shared your stories ongoing health and happiness.

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Anne Kreamer is the author of "Going Gray."

To learn more visit her website, AnneKreamer.com