Starting Over in My Eighth Decade

My typical online searches fall somewhere between WebMD and sheer panic:
“Why do I have this mysterious rash on my chest?”
“Does castor oil really reduce wrinkles?”
“How can I treat vertigo without tipping over in public?”

But nothing prepared me for the day I found myself Googling:
“What to do when your 76-year-old partner of 25 years cheats on you—with multiple women.”

I know. Shocking. But apparently, not rare.

According to a study by the Institute for Family Studies, the infidelity rate among men in their 70s is the highest—26%—and it remains high into their 80s (24%).
Excuse me??

So, I wasn’t alone. But seriously—how is this happening?

Is it society’s obsession with youth? Especially its tendency to devalue aging women? Maybe younger women have tighter skin, but do they have my wisdom, patience, and compassion? Do they share the decades of life my partner and I built—our history, our memories, the good, the bad, and the absurdly mundane?

And while this might sound a little braggy (forgive me), I’ve kept myself fit. I have a sharp mind, a sharper sense of humor, and what people politely call “a warm personality.” So yes, I questioned everything—myself, our relationship, and what would come next.

So what does a 70-year-old woman do when her life implodes?

Well, first, she collapses. For three months, I hid under the covers, cried into my pillow, bonded with Ben & Jerry, and binge-watched Dateline episodes featuring wives who murder their cheating husbands.
(No follow-up questions, please.)

And then…

I wrote a book.
A revenge novel.

It’s called The Golden Years Glitch. And as I wrote, I discovered something unexpected: just like the millions who tuned in for The Golden Bachelor to watch senior antics, there’s a real hunger for stories featuring older protagonists.

My leading lady? She’s a successful grandmother, finally ready to settle into retirement bliss—until the man of her dreams betrays her… in a big way.
Sound familiar?

Like I said, it’s a revenge novel. It’s fiction—but let’s just say the threads of truth are woven in pretty tightly.

Now, don’t get me wrong—I’m not saying you have to toss a cheating partner. I’ve heard stories where infidelity becomes a turning point and actually strengthens a relationship. If that’s your path, I truly applaud you. And yes, I’m envious.

But in my case? The betrayal was just too outrageous—multiple partners. I had to move on.

And I did. I threw back my shoulders, sat at my keyboard, and poured my heartbreak and fury into every page of that novel.

And yes…
I gave him a copy.

BY: Judy Smith

Author of The Golden Years Glitch available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and bookstores nationwide.