Singers Melissa Etheridge and Sheryl Crow, two baby boomers who've been friends since the '80s, have over the years overcome similar struggles, including cancer, and recently took the time to reflect together on life after age 50.
In an interview published in the latest AARP the Magazine, Etheridge minces no words.
"The sex is better!" said Etheridge, who is married to Nurse Jackie creator Linda Wallem. "Seriously, I'm healthier, and in loving myself, I attract a different kind of person now."
Aside from now being able to join AARP, formerly known as the American Association of Retired Persons, and score some sweet discounts, Etheridge, 53, and Crow, 52, have many other things in common. As noted by the magazine, they are both mothers who have never given birth—Etheridge has four children with former partners Tammy Lynn Michaels and Julie Cypher, while Crow has two adopted sons.
As well, the two have dealt with bad breakups and breast cancer. Etheridge was diagnosed with the disease in 2004 and Crow two years later. Both were in their 40s at the time.
Crow recalled learning about her ailment soon after her split from fiancé and now-disgraced champion cyclist, Lance Armstrong, who had himself battled testicular cancer and founded the Livestrong Foundation to help other cancer patients.
"He was probably the most widely known cancer survivor, right? It was kind of a cruel joke," the singer told AARP.
She and Etheridge both agree making it past age 50 is cause for celebration, the magazine said, and furthermore, they see cancer as a "gift" because of what they learned from their battle.
"It took having cancer for me to realize that happiness is something I have to cultivate in myself," Crow told AARP, while Etheridge said that she "learned to make fearless choices."
"You come up against stuff now and you're like, 'All right! Just do it!'" she said.