Q: Plain common sense, as males and female learn, makes us aware of how much we need each other. I love my wife and appreciate that she makes a greater effort to make our lives successful and happier than I do. Now, we are in our late 60s and beginning to think more about our mortality.

What are some of the more common questions couples ask each other?

A: Yours is a challenging question. After being born and not really knowing why we are, we begin maturing, which awakens our needs for relationships, understanding, love and help.

Humans all differ, and our lives are influenced by our genetics, health, attitudes, energy, drives, passions, intelligence, sexuality, timing, wars, education, work and other major factors. Not infrequently, our lives just seem to work out based on plain good or bad luck. And sometimes, things happen over which we have no choice or control.

Here are some of topics worthy of discussing:

—Everyone needs someone to love and to love them.

—We need a faith for spirituality, guidance and beliefs.

—Children need to be parented for their well-beings and futures.

—We were not born to be alone.

—We are here to reproduce ourselves.

—We need another individual to help keep us safe and protected.

—We are given different talents and capabilities that benefit each other.

—We learn in different ways, at different speeds. Have patience.

—We need to have someone to lean on, and share advice and experiences with.

—Communication is a vital part of making life successful.

—Loneliness usually causes depression.

—Having someone to laugh and be joyful with is winning.

This is an incomplete list, and yours will be better.

Choosing to make your list now will prove to enhance your lives!

Q: As we age, I am becoming an old grouch, and my wife tells me so. Who knows me better? I find it difficult to maintain optimism, but go with my flow more so than planning and making an effort to become more positive. Are there really benefits to aging?

A: Yes, choosing to maintain a positive attitude for your life is 80 percent of your happiness, but also hers. Do you have a loving family who cares for you? Do you continue to hope by buying lottery tickets?

Do you take care of your health and make an effort to look handsome, if not for yourself then for your wife? Are you interested in learning? Are your children well, and do they have jobs? Are you able to live independently, and do you have enough money to do so?

Do you have friends and activities to enjoy? Have your responsibilities lessened?

Fortunately, much of life is what we choose to make of it. There are option choices that can make a difference and fulfill dreams. Now is your time to implement them.

Do not get bogged down by negative thinking and feeling sorry for yourself. These habits drain your energy and discourage happiness. Stay involved with others.

When, if not now?

Doug Mayberry makes the most of life in a Southern California Retirement community. Contact him at deardoug@msn.com. To find out more about Doug Mayberry and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.