ABSTRACT
In this chapter, I explore the last two of Willem Poppeliers’ psychosexual stages. In the decade from 64 to 74, we are likely to experience the death of our remaining parent and are preparing to leave this world and let go of our relationships and our sexuality. Acceptance of this process, the process of ageing, and acceptance of the fact that we no longer have the same relationship with the world as we once did can be difficult. Altogether it is a decade of learning to let go. Whilst increasing life expectancy may have extended the time we have left on the planet, from 74 onwards we have to be prepared not only for our own death but perhaps also for the death of our partner. Letting go of our personal agendas – not needing to prove anything to anyone and not trying to control ourselves and others – makes the process of surrendering to our own death easier.
