Btw, does anyone have any ideas why this might be?

I think there could be some physiological factors, but also a lot of social factors come into play too... I mean when you're a kid you're full of all sorts of idealism, that a lengthy life full of mediocre missed opportunities tends to put a damper on...

Any thoughts?

--Ray

I think you hit the nail on the head, Ray. When you're young, your whole life is ahead of you, the world revolves around you, everything is usually looking up. However, by your 40s, you realize your body is in an irreversible state of decay, you are closer to your death than your birth, you will never have enough money/prestige/power/happiness, and the true killer: if you have kids, they are probably in their teens.

Honestly, I think it was Steinbeck that said something about people living lives of 'quiet desperation.' Everyone longs for things they cannot have. In your 40s it usually sinks in just how much you really can't have those things. Honestly, if it weren't for the gospel, I would have no hope at all, because honestly, life is so fleeting and empty without the gospel to give us something besides a few years of carnal joys.

What is interesting also is that as the population ages, that much of this desperation must work itself out, because old age people appear to be less depressed than those in middle age... As though God is quietly working out the details... :)

--Ray

The Golden Years are laced with lead...