It is interesting that older people either get grumpy and irritable, or they get more radiant, humorous, and loving. I used to live in a community where there were many old people, and it pretty much goes like that. What is the difference? You could call it attitude, but I think it is mostly a sense of humor.
Those people that can laugh at life, even when it is hard, seem to ease into an elderly life that is worth staying around for, no matter what their circumstances. Those with a sense of humor seem to grow wise as they grow old, and those without seem to harden in their ignorance. Of course, this is a broad generalization, but I think that it is generally true.
Humor and health have long been associated, and for good reason. It increases digestion to laugh, it increases immune function etc. More importantly, it increases friendship and maintains family bonds.
So whatever happens on my yet long road toward elderliness, and anything can happen, I hope that I remember to look at it in perspective, and to laugh.