An elderly engaged couple go for a stroll to discuss their wedding plans. On the way, they pass a drugstore. The man suggests that they go in. He addresses the man behind the counter.

Are you the owner?

The Pharmacist answers, Yes

Do you sell heart medication?

Of course we do.

How bout medicine for circulation?

All kinds.

Medicine for rheumatism?

Definitely.

How about Viagra?

Of course.

Medicine for memory?

Yes, a large variety.

What about vitamins and sleeping pills?

Absolutely.

The prospective bridegroom replies, Perfect! Wed like to register here for our wedding gifts.

It might be intended as a joke, but the fact is that medical advances are keeping us alive longer. One result is that many of us are re-marrying in our later years.

Two couples that re-married in their later years are Lois and Jim, and Elsie and Colin. We eloped, but there was no ladder! laughed 83-year-old Jim when he described how he and 74-year-old Lois married in October 1997. They lived two doors from one another in the same apartment block.

Would you like a whisker rub? Jim laughingly asked Lois one day in the elevator, after she had commented on his magnificent beard.

A firm No thanks was the chuckled response from Lois.

Well then, how bout dinner? Jim persisted.

Dutch, said Lois.

Jims wife of 49 years had passed away and although she was previously married, Lois had been living as a single person for 17 years. Their relationship quickly blossomed. Two and one-half months after they met, a Marriage Commissioner pronounced them man and wife. Their children surprised them by renting the honeymoon suite at a local hotel.

You should have seen us!" Lois said. "A couple of wrinkly old farts sitting in the Jacuzzi tub drinking champagne in our bathing suits! We just laughed ourselves silly.

And they are still laughing despite the fact that they are no longer married. Jim and Lois spent four years together and then decided that being married wasnt what they wanted. So, they agreed to divorce but continue to have a strong friendship. They speak to each other daily, are travelling companions, go to movies and take part in other social activities. They are, as Lois says, best buddies.

Colin and Elsie, met when they were both members of the same choir and have been married for two years. Elsie taught piano and singing for 61 years. Music continues to be important to both of them. Elsie said Colin asked me one day if there was a Mr. anyone in my life and of course I said there wasnt. I had noticed him before he asked me. I found him very interesting. They started to spend time together and found they had many interests in common. Colin had been married for 53 years to his childhood sweetheart. When she died, he was devastated. I read a lot of books about death of a loved one and they helped me to realize that I could continue to live and enjoy life. They helped me to see it was my wife who died and not me. Elsie too, had been married before, but she had been single for a number of years when she met Colin. They married in a small private church ceremony and told their respective families after the fact. They said they didnt want a fuss. They have 11 children between them as well as grandchildren and great grandchildren.

It doesnt really matter what age people are when they fall in love. Usually, young people meet, marry and spend a lifetime getting to know one other, often becoming more alike with each passing year. People under the age of 40 years could be considered more flexible as they search for ways to communicate and live together in harmony. As we age, we become more set in our ways, almost to the point of predictability. Learning to live with someone new once you are past the age of 65 or 70 years of age could be challenging. Despite this fact, it seems that more people are re-marrying later in life than ever before.

Studies have shown that people who are married live longer than people who are single. Walking through life hand-in-hand with someone else does seem to ease some of the burdens and crises that go along with living no matter what the age.

There are also financial benefits in sharing living expenses. Under current law, retired couples are penalized for marrying Yet couples who choose to live together are not affected by this law. But either way, paying the bills becomes less onerous when you can share with a partner.

Loneliness is an issue for many seniors who lose their life partner(s). It could be difficult to get out and mix with people again as a single after decades of living with someone else.So, if you are not quite ready for the dating game, but would like to meet people, here are some suggestions:

For internet savvy seniors, checking out internet sites could be a way to lessen the loneliness. You can meet people all over the world without leaving your home.

www.sassyseniors.com
This site has information on just about anything and everything - you might be interested in. From cars, to home, to health issues.

www.50plusfriends.com
This is a group of people from all over the world who chat together and frequently arrange for cyber meets, where members meet in small groups, usually in friendly and public places. This is a safe and clean site where you can find friendly caring people.

If you are not comfortable on the internet, then there are other ways to mix and meet people.

1. Volunteering

Meals on Wheels
Hospital
Running errands for folks who cannot get out
Canvassing for non profit groups
Hospice House

There are so many organizations that need help these days due to cutbacks in funding.

2. Special Interest Groups to join

Choirs
Bird Watching (naturalist societies)
Historical Societies
Dance groups
Clubs (camera, computer)

3. Fitness

We are told we should exercise 30 minutes each day. There are many different types of exercise specifically geared to seniors.

Swimming (aqua fit)
Osteoporosis fitness classes
Senior aerobics
Walking Joining fitness studios
Yoga
Tai Chi

Although Jim and Lois, Colin and Elsie have an the ability to laugh at almost any situation that occurs in their lives, both couples seem to view life as though the glass is half full and, as a result, they find the joy that they look for on a daily basis.

Marrying when you are a senior may take some extra compromise, but it can give you great happiness and can even add to your longevity. Both couples tell me that the secret to finding joy is being able to communicate openly with one another.

Some things never change.