I was with my friends of a certain age, sipping drinks at a back table at Jake’s in Alexander City when the conversation turned to a topic that seemed to come up every time we got together: our deteriorating health.

I remember, as a young lad, listening to adults who I thought were ancient at the time, but who were probably younger than I am now (I just turned 63 last month). They were always talking about what new aches and pains they were experiencing, or what organ they recently had removed by a surgeon to whom they referred to by first name.